Real-time internet capable device information interchange for coordinated queuing at locations

ABSTRACT

Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

This application is a continuation application of and claims priority toU.S. application Ser. No. 16/218,303 filed on Dec. 12, 2018, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/790,865 filed on Oct.23, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,181,142, issued on Jan. 15, 2019), whichclaims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/342,557, filed onNov. 3, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,836,772, issued on Dec. 5, 2017),which claims the benefit of the filing date and priority of U.S. patentapplication Ser. 62/344,337, filed on Jun. 1, 2016. They areincorporated by reference here in their entireties.

This description relates to real-time Internet capable deviceinformation interchange for coordinated queuing at locations.

Here we describe technology in which two or more (and potentially a verylarge number of) Internet capable devices, for example mobile devicessuch as cell phones, that are at two (or more) different places, canissue requests for service to be provided through two or more (andpotentially a large number of) Internet capable devices (which also maybe moving) at two or more (and potentially a large number of) servicinglocations. The requests for service can be requests for reservations tobe queued for delivery of physical units at the servicing locations.

The service requests may need to be served in real time by queuing therequests for service using Internet-capable devices at servicinglocations that contain the physical units that are to be delivered.Among other things we describe technology for sending the requests,receiving the requests, queuing the requests, and managing thedeliveries in real time by timed and coordinated communications throughthe Internet among the Internet-based devices and with cloud-based.servers.

Among other things, the Internet capable devices can have displays andinteractive technologies that facilitate user assistance in causing theservice requests to be made and received, and the queuing and managementof deliveries to be coordinated.

As a result of the implementation of the technology that we describehere, the Internet capable devices, the software running on them, thecloud-based servers, and other equipment can perform the sending andreceiving of the requests and the queuing, management, and delivery morequickly, efficiently, simply, compliantly, and safely than wouldotherwise be possible.

Although we describe specific examples and applications here, thetechnology that we describe for coordination of the requests, services,queuing, management, and delivery of physical units can provide theseadvantages in a broad range of contexts, applications, andimplementations.

In some contexts, in which the technology is applied, the storage anddelivery of the physical units are controlled, for example, by agovernment and delivery of the physical units is regulated to controlthe parties to whom delivery can be made and the places where thephysical units can be delivered, among other things. In such cases, theservice requests sent from the Internet-capable devices can representreservations for service to be given at specified locations at which thephysical units will be delivered. The reservations can be associatedwith specific available physical units in inventory at the specifiedlocations. Because multiple reservation requests may be delivered fromthe Internet-capable devices, the server or the Internet capable devicesat the places where the physical units will be delivered must receive,manage, and maintain queues for the reservation requests at each placeso that the queues and the services can be provided in a disciplined,predictable, and understandable order, Although users of the Internetcapable devices will view on displays and provide input through theirinput devices to facilitate the reservations, the queuing, theperformance of the services, and the deliveries of the physical units atthe locations, the communication of information among the devices andwith the server and the other equipment at each location facilitates theimplementation of the queues, the reservations, the coordination, andthe management of services in a way that is quick, efficient, simple,and effective in the context of delivery of regulated physical units.

The locations at which the services, for example, the delivery of thephysical units, are to be rendered can be physical stores that maintainpoint of sale systems that manage inventories of the physical units.Information about the physical inventories can be shared throughcommunications over the Internet with the devices and the cloud serversto facilitate the functions of the system.

The system that we describe here (which we sometimes refer to as areservation system) provides significant value to the stores (theclient), their management and staff, and their customers. We sometimesuse the word store as shorthand to refer to any kind of location atwhich the delivery of the physical units occurs.

For a store, whose ownership can access the platform via the “Client”user role, the system collects valuable data (and stores it in thecloud-based servers) that can be captured at the individual store levelor in aggregate (i.e. for retail chains). The store has access toinformation about staff optimization, fleet efficiency, inventoryturnover, and customer insights relative to a single retail location,its respective retail chain, or its competition. In addition to data,the reservation system provides a digital storefront corresponding to aphysical store that displays the store's product in real-time on anyinternet-capable device. As a result, this makes its entire physicalinventor continuously visible to all users without the store having topurchase additional hardware or commit any additional resources.

For the store's management and staff, the system provides a means toremotely process incoming demand, which then can be balanced across anavailable workforce for subsequent fulfillment. By organizing the inputsonto a consistent platform, the manager is able to process customerdemand with greater efficiency. Also, the system provides the storemanager with visibility on an individual staff member's workload withouthaving to be co-located, which then could provide insight on futurestaffing and scheduling matters. Furthermore, the system automaticallyupdates the status of a reservation based on various user inputs. Thus,the manager can view the status of all ongoing and completedreservations at the store, the staff member can view the status of hisassigned reservations, and the customer can view the status of herspecific reservation—all without having to make a phone call, send atext message, or email, or have an in-person discussion. Moreover, themobile capability of the platform frees the manager from having to bephysically present at an on-site workstation, and as a result, managersare able to process and assign customer demand to staff members acrossmultiple stores, all from a single remote device connected to theinternet. Lastly, the ability to accept reservations in advance willreduce customer lines and increase transaction throughput at retaillocations. For example, if a long line forms at a store that closes in15 minutes, the store might have to deny service to customers at the endof the line, and thus, unnecessarily lose out on sales. By allowingcustomers the ability to browse, compare, and select a store's productsremotely, store management and staff will provide the flexibility andvisibility to accommodate demand volatility and minimize operationalbottlenecks.

For the customer, the system provides a means to remotely search,compare, and reserve products across an aggregated network of stores orat an individual store—without ever having to set foot in the physicalretail location itself. Most stores have a digital presence associatedwith the overall brand that is separate from its physical presenceprovided by its retail locations. This reservation platform provides thephysical retail locations with a digital presence, and in doing so,extends its products and services of their retail infrastructure to anaudience of customers who would otherwise not have access to thosestores via the internet. Using the company J.Crew as an example,customers can visit www.jcrew.com to browse, select, and order itemsdirectly from their online store, but perhaps the item is not ininventory, the shipping fees may be too expensive, or perhaps thecustomer needs the product right away. if J.Crew was “powered by Jane,”then the customer would have the same ability to browse, select, andreserve items for purchase from multiple retail locations at once, allfrom the convenience and privacy of her internet-capable device.

Within the cannabis industry, and similar to such industries as alcoholor tobacco, there exist regulatory constraints that make this systemuseful. Colorado, for example, has regulatory constraints specific tothe legalized recreational and medicinal cannabis industry. First,retail stores (both recreational and medical) must confirm a customer'sidentification and other pertinent documentation before granting accessinside the store. As a result, the system contains a repository uponwhich the customer can upload the required documentation, and where thestore's management and staff can validate the customer's identificationprior to accepting the reservation request. Second, regulatoryconstraints require the store's staff to supervise a customer (and thedisplayed products) when inside the retail location, which results inslowed service and long customer waiting times. Thus, by enablingcustomers to make educated purchasing decisions remotely in advance,store staff members are able to process more transactions and customerwait times are reduced. Third, sales can be processed only at thestore's licensed premises. Thus, the system enables customers to reserveproducts that are prepared by the staff, available at the store at apre-determined time, and made ready for purchase upon pickup in-store.Lastly, stores are not authorized to display or store cannabis productsoutside of the licensed premises. Thus, the system enables stores todigitally showcase their products, and provide customers remote accessto those products—all within compliance of the law. Within the cannabisindustry, where its products have been proven to restore the well-beingof its customers, regulatory constraints make it difficult for customersto browse, compare, and reserve items from multiple stores at once. Theresult is usually one where the customer is relegated to limitedproducts, long lines, and misinformation from biased staff members. Withthis system, however, customers are afforded the access to make aninformed decision, and stores are empowered to extend their reach tocustomers who would otherwise be unreachable.

Thus, in general, in an aspect, a central server maintains informationrepresentative of requests communicated through the Internet fromdevices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposedreservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.The services include managing, by the devices at the delivery locations,the preparation for delivery of physical units identified in therequests. There are facilities to receive (at the central server throughthe Internet from inventory management devices at the deliverylocations) and to update at the central server information thatidentifies physical units currently available for delivery at thedelivery locations. Processes at the central server identify based onthe information about the physical units currently available fordelivery and on the requests and generate data that represents queues ofreservations for delivery of the physical units at respective deliverylocations. There are facilities to send the queue data from the centralserver through the Internet to the devices at the respective deliverylocations. There are facilities to receive (at the central serverthrough the Internet from the devices at the respective deliverylocations) information indicating acceptance or rejection ofreservations in the queues. Processes update at the central server thedata that represents the queues based on the acceptances or rejections.There are facilities to send from the central servers through theInternet to the devices at the delivery locations, updated informationabout the queues. There are facilities to receive (from the devices atthe delivery locations through the Internet at the central server) dataconfirming the servicing of reservations in the queues. Processes at thecentral server update the information that identifies physical unitscurrently available for delivery at the delivery locations and the datathat represents the queues, based on the data confirming the servicingof the reservations.

Implementations may include one or combinations of two or more of thefollowing features. The inventory management devices at the deliverylocations comprise point-of-sale devices. The devices at the deliverylocations are associated with managers of the delivery locations. Thedevices at the delivery locations are associated with managed staff ofthe delivery locations. The physical units comprise retail products. Thephysical units comprise cannabis. The access to the physical units iscontrolled in accordance with governmental regulations. The devices atthe request locations belong to consumers. The central server sendscatalog data through the Internet to the devices at the requestlocations. The catalog data includes displayable informationrepresenting inventory of the physical units available at the deliverylocations. The central server sends control data through the Internet tothe devices at the delivery locations that enables the devices at thedelivery locations to control the servicing of reservations to complywith governmental regulations. The delivery locations comprisecompetitive physical retail stores, The central server sends managementdata through the Internet to the devices at the delivery locations thatenables the devices at the delivery locations to manage allocation ofreservations among managed staff.

Other aspects, features, implementations, and advantages will becomeapparent from the following description and from the claims.

Our discussion is accompanied by the following figures.

FIG. 1 is a key to markings on later figures.

FIGS. 2 through 94 and 101 through 121 are illustrations of pages of auser interface.

FIGS. 95A, 95B, through 99 are block diagrams.

FIGS. 100. and 100B show a database schema.

We begin with FIG. 95, which illustrates the framework and elements ofthe technology.

An overview of FIG. 95 shows four key users within the technology (wesometimes refer to the technology as a system): a Customer user (Oval9510), a Store Manager user (Oval 9502), a Store Staff Member user (Oval9516), and a Store Client user (Oval 9546). Note that the suppliers ofthe product (the physical units), represented by Blocks 9524 and 9526within group Block 9522, exist within and participate with other partiesin the system without being direct users of the system.

We sometimes refer to elements of the system using the word “Jane,” Janerefers to one possible example implementation of the technology and thesystem and may relate, by way of example only, to technology and asystem offered by a venture named Jane Technologies. The use of the wordJane in this description does not limit the breadth of the nature,implementation, or use of the technology that is intended.

In FIG. 95, a customer (who can be at any arbitrary location and can bemoving) accesses a Jane Customer App (Block 9514) running on herInternet-capable device (for example, an iPhone app running on aniPhone), as outlined in Block 9518. An Internet-capable device can bedefined as a personal computer, laptop, notebook, smartphone (iPhone,Android, etc.), tablet, or any other piece of hardware with thecapability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, cellular telephonesystem, or local area network (LAN), for example. Although only onecustomer is shown in FIG. 95, the system serves two or more (and up to avery large number such as a million or more) customers at differentlocations and all possibly in motion. The customer users can be atlocations different from the places where the physical units are to bedelivered.

A store manager accesses a Jane Store App (Block 9506) via hisInternet-capable device, as outlined in Block 9504, while a store staffmanager accesses a Jane Store App (Block 9520) via his Internet-capabledevice, as outlined in Block 9518. The store manager and the customercan be located in a physical store, for example. As with the customer,although only one store manager and one store staff member are shown onFIG. 95, there can be more than one store manager or more than one storestaff member at each physical store and there can be two or more (and upto a very large number such as dozens or hundreds) of physical stores.The stores that we refer to may in some cases not be at fixed physicallocations, for example they could be set up in tents or trailer trucksor even smaller mobile arrangements.

In general, the customer utilizes the Jane Customer App to search,compare, and reserve products from stores; the store manager utilizesthe Jane Store App to verify, accept, and assign reservations, and thestore staff manager utilizes the Jane Store App to prepare, fulfill, andcomplete assigned reservations. The Internet capable devices and theapplications running on them facilitate these activities, making themsimple, efficient, fast, and safe.

Also within the system, Block 9528 depicts a store's on-siteworkstation, which could be a personal computer, laptop, notebook,smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.), tablet, or any other piece ofhardware with the capability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi,cellular telephone system, or LAN, for example. Within the on-siteworkstation, there exists a point-of-sale (POS) system (Block 9532) thatinventories items from suppliers, as represented by Blocks 9534, 9536,9538. The Jane POS integration service (Block 9530) integrates with thePOS system to relay and present items to the platform (we sometimesrefer to the technology or system as a platform) in real-time. In thisway, the requests sent from the customers' devices are accurate and canbe served because it is known by the system at the time the requests aresent that the specific physical units to be delivered to fulfill therequests are available at known places.

Also, within the system shown in FIG. 95, a cloud server is representedby Block 9540, which is a logical server that is built, hosted anddelivered through a cloud computing platform over the Internet via LAN,for example. Cloud servers possess and exhibit similar capabilities andfunctionality to a typical server, but are accessed remotely from acloud service provider. Within the cloud server is the platform'sApplication Program interface (API), which is displayed in Block 9542and specifies how the various software components should interact withone another. The platform's API contains a Jane Database, depicted inShape 9544, which collects the necessary information that is organizedfor easy access, management, and updating. Note that central to thissystem is the Internet, depicted in Shape 9508, which in someembodiments is the communication network that allows all system devices,workstations, and servers to connect and exchange information.

The central server and database receive, store, and fetch informationand use it to keep the Internet-capable devices of the system current inreal time on inventories and places where delivery of physical units canbe made, so that requests for reservations sent by the customers'devices will be accurate and known to be correctly and completelyserviceable from inventory at known locations.

With reference back to the store manager in Oval 9502, he utilizes theplatform for such functions as profile personalization, customerverification, inventory review, reservation verification, reservationacceptance or denial, reservation rescheduling, reservation assignment(or unassignment) to staff members, reservation tracking, contactingstaff members or customers, and customer membership confirmation. Withinthe system, the Internet-capable: device of the store manager is thefirst point-of-contact within the store who receives each reservationrequest, which is forwarded by the server. The device presents theproposed reservation through the display to the store manager who cancontrol the communications made by his device with respect to therequested reservations. If he chooses to deny the request, the processis terminated there, his device communicates the rejection to the serverand the server communicates it to the customer's device. If he acceptsthe request, the process continues. Thus, the platform provides thestore manager (through his device and its communications through theserver to the customer devices) with the unique ability to communicatein effect directly with the customer in real-time via connectedplatforms (e.g. reservation rescheduling process), view availability andassign reservations to staff members, and track ongoing and completedreservation activity.

Block 9504 represents the store manager's Internet-capable device, uponwhich the Jane Store App (Block 9506) operates, and upon which theplatform's notifications appear and where email/text message/phone callsmay occur. The device connects the store manager to the Jane Store App,and once connected, his inputs will be shared throughout the parts ofthe system by communications from the device via the Internet. Uponutilization of the platform, the device becomes a unique tool for thestore manager by transforming it into a tool that can verify inventory,manage staff, process incoming customer requests, and track the statusof ongoing or completed reservations. Moreover, through the Internet,this device transforms into a mobile tool that can simultaneouslycommunicate with customer and staff member users, the system's database,and the store's on-site workstation. The result is that the devices andthe server themselves and through communication via the Internet cancoordinate the queuing of requests, the verification of inventory, andthe disciplined delivery of physical units at the locations where it isavailable.

Block 9506 depicts the Jane Store App, which provides many suchfunctions to the store manager as profile personalization, customerverification, inventory review, reservation verification, reservationacceptance or denial, reservation rescheduling, reservation assignment(or unassignment) to staff members, reservation tracking, contactingstaff members or customers, and customer membership confirmation. Notethat the store manager may log in or out of the platform at any time.Upon signing in, the Jane Store App serves as the portal through whichthe store manager can access and participate within the system. When thestore manager connects to the Jane Store App on his Internet-capabledevice, he thus connects through the Internet to the platform's API inBlock 9542 (via the cloud server in Block 9540) and accesses necessarydata via the Jane Database detailed in Shape 9544. As it relates to thestore manager, the Jane Customer App is unique in the sense that itallows management to verify inventory, manage staff, process incomingcustomer requests, and track ongoing or completed reservations all froma single mobile platform in real-time.

In our discussion we sometimes refer to actions taken directly by thecustomer, the manager, the client or the store staff. In most cases,these descriptions are short-hand for the fact that the customer,manager, or store staff is merely interacting with the devices, whichare performing and effecting the functions by the execution ofapplications and communication of messages among them.

Shape 9508 represents the Internet, which serves as global communicationnetwork, allowing all system devices, workstations, and serversworldwide to connect and exchange information and together and incoordination perform the functions and provide the services that wedescribe. Via the Internet, the customer, store manager, and staffmember are able to connect to the system on their respective devices viacellular telephone system, or LAN. Because of the Internet, the platform(via Wi-Fi, cellular telephone system, or LAN) is able to integrate intothe store's on-site workstation in order to access and present inventoryitems in real-time. Furthermore, the Internet allows access via LAN tothe platform's API in order to access the system's data. This process isunique because the Internet is central to the entire system's ability toaggregate all disparate customer and store information onto a singleplatform, while simultaneously granting access to devices worldwide forvarious purposes. The store's inventory items are dynamically integratedand uploaded onto the system, and customers with access to the systemcan view those items in real-time.

Oval 9510 depicts the customer who utilizes the platform for suchfunctions as profile personalization, document upload, contentcustomization, content search, store comparisons, favorite products andstores, cart building, reservation request, store contact, rescheduleacceptance or denial, reservation tracking, notification management, andreservation review. Within the general operation of the system, it isthe customer who decides what items (e.g., physical units) are to berequested, from what locations (e.g., stores), at what times, and inwhat manner.

The process cannot continue unless the customer through the customer'sdevice requests a reservation, and the process is not complete until thecustomer completes the required reservation review. Note how thecustomer's reservation request can affect the status of items presentedby the store on the platform's API. For example, if the customer adds anitem to her cart that was the last of its kind in the store's inventory,it would thus make this item unavailable to other customers in thedigital store and the physical store alike. Upon the customer making thereservation request, the platform provides the customer with the uniqueability to communicate directly with the store manager and staff memberin real-time via connected platforms, view and request items linked inreal-time to POS systems within the store (therefore assuring theavailable inventory), and search for products by price, proximity, orpopularity across an aggregated network of retail locations. Also, notonly is she able to request delivery or in-store pickup of her items,but also the platform provides the unique ability for the customer totrack the ongoing status of her reservation from the onset of therequest through delivery or pickup (We sometimes use the word deliveryto refer both to delivery or pick up.). Lastly, she is able to provide areview of each of her reservations at each of the locations (e.g.,stores). That is, instead of providing a review of the store only once,by aggregating reviews on a per transaction level, the platform providesa more accurate review system that is rooted in the consistency ofproduct and service.

Block 9512 represents the customer's Internet-capable device, upon whichthe Jane Customer App (Block 9514) operates, and upon which theplatform's notifications, videos and photos appear, and where email ortext messages or phone calls may occur. The device connects the customerto the Jane Customer App, and once connected, her inputs will be sharedby the device throughout the parts of the system via the Internet.

For example, if the customer uses her device to search for a productunder a specific set of parameters, and the store's product meets thoseparameters, the data will be pulled from the Jane database connected tothe store's on-site workstation, and presented in real-time to thecustomer on her device via the Internet. Upon utilization of theplatform, the device becomes a unique tool for the customer bytransforming it into a tool that can aggregate, search, and organizeproducts, reserve those products from a connected network of ratedstores, and track the reservations through completion. Moreover, throughthe Internet, this device transforms into a mobile tool that cansimultaneously communicate with the specific store's manager and staffmember users, the system's database, and the store's on-siteworkstation.

Block 9514 depicts the Jane Customer App, which enables the device toprovide functions to the customer such as profile personalization,document upload, content customization, content search, storecomparisons, favorite products and stores, cart building, reservationrequest, store contact, reschedule acceptance or denial, reservationtracking, notification management, and reservation review. Note that thecustomer may log in or out of the platform at any time. Upon signing in,the Jane Customer App serves as the portal through which the customercan access and participate within the system.

When the customer connects to the Jane Customer App on herInternet-capable device, she thus connects through the Internet to theplatform's API in Block 9542 and accesses necessary data via the JaneDatabase detailed in Shape 9544. In doing so, the customer is providedreal-time access to an individual store's menu items. The Jane CustomerApp is unique in the sense that it allows the customer to search andrequest from an aggregated listing of menu items across multiple storelocations in real-time, and connect to store managers and staff memberson a single platform. Also, the customer can build a cart and request areservation that can be tracked and acted on from multiple partiesacross multiple devices. Moreover, the Jane Customer App creates aunique mobile marketplace, whereby the reviews associated with eachretail store location are aggregated on a per-transaction basis,encouraging more accurate ratings rooted in consistent performance overtime. Through the Jane Customer App, the store and its management canoptimize staff efficiency, reduce lines, track inventory, and accessmore customers.

Oval 9502 shows the store's staff member, who utilizes the platform forsuch functions as profile customization, customer verification,inventory review, reservation preparation, fulfilling reservations(delivery or in-store pickup), updating reservation status, contactingstore managers or customers, and customer identification confirmation.Note that when the staff member logs out of the platform, he is nolonger available and cannot participate within the system, where thestaff member is the store's responsible party. He receives thereservation assignment and executes accordingly, and in doing so, thestaff member symbolizes the physical and virtual bridge between thecustomer and the store itself. The platform provides the staff memberwith the unique ability to communicate directly with the customer inreal-time via connected platforms, fulfill assigned reservations,provide status updates to the store manager and customer for ongoingreservation activity, track ongoing and completed reservations, andverify customer identification.

Block 9518 represents the staff member's Internet-capable device, uponwhich the Jane Store App (Block 9520) operates, and upon which theplatform's notifications appear and where email/text message/'phonecalls may occur. The device connects the staff member to the Jane StoreApp, and once connected, his inputs will be shared throughout the partsof the system via the Internet. For example, the staff member can accessthe Jane Database through the platform on his device. In doing so, hecan access any assigned reservation to verify such data as thecustomer's cart items, identification documents, and membership status.Upon utilization of the platform, the device becomes a unique tool forthe store manager by transforming it into a tool that can verifyinventory, communicate to management and customers, update the status ofongoing reservations, verify customer information, and track all ongoingand completed assigned reservations. Moreover, through the Internet,this device transforms into a mobile tool that can simultaneouslycommunicate with customer and staff member users, the system's database,and the store's on-site workstation.

Block 9520 represents the Jane Store App, which enables the device toprovide functions to the staff member such as profile customization,customer verification, inventory review, reservation preparation,fulfilling reservations (delivery or in-store pickup), updatingreservation status, contacting store managers or customers, and customeridentification confirmation. Note that the staff member may log in orout of the platform at any time, portraying his availability accordinglyto his manager via the platform. Upon signing in, the Jane Store Appserves as the portal through which the staff member can access andparticipate within the system. When the staff member connects to theJane Store App on his Internet-capable device, he thus connects throughthe Internet to the platform's API in Block 9542 (via the cloud serverin Block 9540) and accesses necessary data via the Jane Databasedetailed in Shape 9544. As it relates to the store manager, the JaneCustomer App is unique in the sense that it allows staff members toserve as the connection between the physical customer, through thevirtual system, and the physical store. Also, provides the staff memberwith the unique ability to verify inventory, update reservation statusin real-time, communicate directly with the customer, verify customerdocumentation, and review ongoing and completed assignedreservations—all from a single mobile platform. Through the JaneCustomer App, the store and its staff members can optimize taskefficiency, reduce lines, track as, and communicate with more customers.

Oval 9546 depicts the store's ownership (the client), who utilizes theplatform for such functions as adding new users (store managers andstaff members), showcasing or hiding certain products, monitoringongoing or completed reservations, and managing other general storeinformation. Note that when the client logs out of the platform, she isno longer available and cannot participate within the system. Also notethat unlike the managers and staff members, the client is not directlyinvolved in the store-to-customer interaction. Instead, she assumes moreof a supervisory role with access throughout the entire store(s) ongoingand completed history of reservations. Via the platform, she will beable to know which specific manager and staff member was involved ineach reservation, and furthermore, be able to link the specific customerreview with them, as well. Not only does this platform provide theclient with real-time data on all ongoing store operations and productinventory, but also it provides the client with historical data thatwill help inform future operations.

Block 9548 represents the client's Internet-capable device, upon whichthe Jane Store App (Block 9550) operates, and upon which the platform'snotifications appear and where email/text message/phone calls may occur.The device connects the client to the Jane Store App, and onceconnected, her inputs will be shared throughout the parts of the systemvia the Internet. For example, the client can access the Jane Databasethrough the platform on her device. In doing so, she can access anyongoing or completed reservation to verify such data as the customer'scart items, when the assigned staff member completed the reservation,and the customer's specific review and rating of that reservation. Uponutilization of the platform, the device becomes a unique tool for theclient by transforming it into a tool that can manage the display ofdigital inventory, onboard new employees, monitor current storeoperations, and link specific customer ratings to specific menu items,managers, and staff members. Moreover, through the Internet, this devicetransforms into a mobile tool that can simultaneously monitor staff,fleet, and inventory operations across the entire store(s), whileaccessing the system's database and the store's on-site workstation inreal-time.

Block 9550 represents the Jane Store App, which enables the device toprovide functions to the client such as profile customization, addingnew users (managers and staff members), managing inventory display,ongoing reservation monitoring, and completed reservation review. Notethat the client may log in or out of the platform at any time. Uponsigning in, the Jane Store App serves as the portal through which theclient can access and participate within the system. When the clientconnects to the Jane Store App on her Internet-capable device, she thusconnects through the Internet to the platform's API in Block 9542 (viathe cloud server in Block 9540) and accesses necessary data via the JaneDatabase detailed in Shape 9544. As it relates to the client, the JaneCustomer App is unique in the sense that it allows ownership to monitorall store operations in real-time, through the virtual system, and thephysical store. Also, it provides the client to assign specific customerreviews with individual managers and staff members, learn patterns inindividual customer shopping experience, analyze and compare storeoperations on an individual and aggregate level, and receive productdata that will help inform future inventory operations—all from a singlemobile platform. Through the Jane Customer App, the store and itsownership can monitor operations in real-time, easily onboard newemployees, and compare historical performance by store or individualemployee level.

Block 9522 represents suppliers of product (e.g., physical units), andis further depicted as individual suppliers in Blocks 9524 and 9526. Asupplier can be a cultivator of cannabis product, a consumer packagedgoods company, a product line owner, or even a large industrydistributor. Suppliers are not specific users of the system, but theproducts they supply to stores become integrated into the system as soonas they have been processed onto the store's on-site workstation (Block9528) containing the POS system (Block 9532). Once processed onto thesystem, the supplier's product information and location across storesare captured in the Jane database and made available to all users of theentire system via the Internet. This process is unique in the sense thatit benefits suppliers. By being passively involved in the system,suppliers still have the ability to showcase the availability andinformation of their products in real-time to an aggregated network ofcustomers across multiple Internet-capable devices.

Block 9528 depicts the store's on-site workstation, which hosts both thePOS system (Block 9532) and the Jane POS Integration Service (Block9530), and is used by the on-site store managers and staff members. Byhosting the POS system, the workstation also contains (among othersystems) the store's inventory management system, payment system, andcustomer management system. By also hosting the Jane POS IntegrationService, the workstation possesses the ability to pull any necessarydata from the POS system into the Jane API (Block 9542) and Database(Block 9544), and ultimately make that data available to all systemusers. This process is unique in the sense that the software canintegrate with hardware in the store, while also simultaneouslyintegrating with all other user devices in real-time. With this platformand through the on-site workstation, customers can view menu items inreal-time, and store managers and staff members can validate inventoryand customer information. By allowing the platform to plug into theon-site workstation, it essentially transforms it into a hub of datathat continuously feeds directly into the system.

Block 9530 shows the Jane POS Integration Service, which activelyconnects the store's POS system located within the store to the Janedatabase, making the store's inventory items available to customers inreal-time. Via the Internet, the Jane POS Integration Service existswithin the store's server as the system's virtual bridge between theJane API (Box 9542) and the Jane Database (Block 9544). This is uniquein the sense that system software (the Jane POS integration Service)located within store hardware (on-site workstation) can connect anotherpiece of store hardware (POS system) to software (Jane Database) to beinstantly displayed using software (Jane Customer and Store Apps) onmultiple pieces of hardware (Internet-capable devices) simultaneously.In essence, the Jane P05 Integration System takes inventory items in thephysical store, and makes them available to system customers in avirtual store.

Block 9532 represents the store's point-of-sale (POS) system, which isoperated by on-site store managers and staff members and located withinthe on-site workstation. Its functions include (among other things) theability to record and track customer orders, process cash, credit anddebit card transactions, connect to other systems in a network, andmanage inventory. The POS system inventories items (Blocks 9534, 9536,and 9538) received from suppliers (Block 9522) and sends thatinformation via the Internet and through the Jane POS IntegrationService (Block 9530) to the API (9542) and ultimately the Jane Database(9544). This process of pulling items catalogued in the POS systems intothe Jane Database is continuous, with updates occurring in real-time. Indoing so, the platform transforms the POS system from just a piece ofhardware located in the physical store to a hub and integrator ofreal-time menu items that are continuously uploaded onto the system andmade available to all users at multiple locations simultaneously.

Block 9540 depicts the cloud server, which connects the Jane API (Block9542) and the Jane Database (Block 9544) to the rest of the system andits Internet-connected devices. Note, the system could connect tomultiple cloud servers in order to balance increased load requirements,thus making the system more flexible and scalable in real-time. Bystoring the API and database, the cloud server stores all shared datawithin the entire system, and allows for real-time connection to on-siteworkstations and user devices including mobile devices alike. Using thecloud server is unique in the sense that the system can grow infinitelyand accommodate an innumerable number of stores and their data, whilesimultaneously accommodating an unlimited number of users and theirdata.

Block 9542 shows the Application Program interface (API), which iscontained within the cloud server (Block 9540) and specifies how thevarious software components should interact within the system. The APInot only secures the Jane Database (Shape 9544) against unauthorizedaccess, but also relays information between the database and the StoreApp (Blocks 9506 and 9520), the Customer App (Block 9514), and the POSIntegration Service (Block 9530). Within this system, the API has theunique ability to pull information from various types of devices invarious locations (e.g. on-site workstations within a store), aggregatethat information into one operational repository, and simultaneouslysynchronize the flow of that information across multiple softwareplatforms across the world (e.g. Jane Customer and Store Apps).

Shape 9544 depicts the Jane Database, which is secured within andconnected to the rest of the system through the API (Block 9542). Itstores the entire system's repository of information. It stores andcontinuously updates the store information from the on-site workstation(Block 9528), which is made possible by integrating the Jane POSIntegration Service (Block 9530) and the POS system (Block 9532). Itstores and continuously updates the customer information from the JaneCustomer App (Block 9514) as well as the store manager and staff memberinformation from the Jane Customer App (Blocks 9506 and 9520). Inaddition, the Jane Database stores information about individual items(Blocks 9534, 9536, 9538) within the store's inventory.

The Jane Database connects only to the API in order to remain secure andcontrolled by system administrators and may be hosted on multiple cloudservers to accommodate increased load inputs. The Jane Database isunique because of the information it collects, stores, and updates inreal-time. The information originates from various devices operating invarious languages across multiple locations, and the database is able toprocess that information into a single source of data upon which theentire system is built. This database collects customer information,store manager and staff member information, store information, andproduct information, and through the API, enables a seamless virtualinteraction between a customer and a retail store.

As noted earlier, although our discussion of FIG. 95 has focused on asingle location where delivery of the physical units occurs and a singlecustomer, a single store manager, and a single store staff member, thesystem is actually applied to a large number of each of themsimultaneously and in real-time with respect to a large number ofrequests and reservations.

FIG. 96 depicts an Internet-capable device of the customer, which couldbe a personal computer, laptop, notebook, smartphone (iPhone, Android,etc.), tablet, or any other piece of hardware with the capability toconnect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, cellular telephone system, or localarea network (LAN), or in any other way. Within the Internet-capabledevice, Block 9602 depicts the processor, which executes instructionsgathered from various programs, and Block 9604 represents the memory,which stores information for the processor. Within the memory, Block9606 displays the software, which serves as the instructions from whichthe processor executes. Within the software, Block 9608 depicts the JaneCustomer App, which is the application program specifically designed forthe respective platform's end-user (the customer) Also within thesoftware, Block 9610 represents the operating software, which managesthe device's hardware and software resources and provides commonservices for computer programs. Lastly, within the operating software,there exists the operating system in Block 9612, which supports thedevice's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executingapplications, and controlling peripherals.

FIG. 97 depicts an Internet-capable device of the store's manager orstaff member, which could be a personal computer, notebook, laptop,smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.), tablet, or any other any other pieceof hardware with the capability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi,cellular telephone system, or LAN, or in any other way. Within theInternet-capable device, Block 9702 depicts the processor, whichexecutes instructions gathered from various programs, and Block 9704represents the memory, which stores information for the processor.Within the memory, Block 9706 displays the software, which serves as theinstructions from which the processor executes. Within the software,Block 9708 depicts the Jane Store App, which is the application programspecifically designed for the respective platform's end-user (the storemanager or staff member). Also within the software, Block 9710represents the operating software, which manages the device's hardwareand software resources and provides common services for computerprograms. Lastly, within the operating software, there exists theoperating system in Block 9712, which supports the device's basicfunctions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, andcontrolling peripherals.

FIG. 98 depicts a store's on-site workstation, which could be a personalcomputer, laptop, notebook, smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.), tablet,or any other piece of hardware with the capability to connect to theInternet via Wi-Fi, cellular telephone system, or LAN or in any otherway. Within the on-site workstation, Block 9802 depicts the processor,which executes instructions gathered from various programs, and Block9804 represents the memory, which stores information for the processor.Within the memory, Block 9806 displays the software, which serves as theinstructions from which the processor executes. Within the software,Block 9808 represents the point-of-sale (POS) system, which can include(among other things) the ability to record and track customer orders,process cash, credit and debit card transactions, connect to othersystems in a network, and manage inventory. Continuing within thesoftware, Block 9810 depicts the Jane POS Integration Service, whichlinks together different computing systems (e.g. Internet capabledevice, on-site workstation, POS system portal) and softwareapplications (e.g., Jane Customer App, Jane Store App, Jane ApplicationProgram Interface) physically or functionally, to act as a coordinatedwhole. Also within the software, Block 9812 represents the operatingsoftware, which manages the workstation's hardware and softwareresources and provides common services for computer programs. Lastly,within the operating software, there exists the operating system inBlock 9814, which supports the workstation's basic functions, such asscheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals.

FIG. 99 depicts the cloud server, which is a logical server that isbuilt, hosted and delivered through a cloud computing platform over theInternet via LAN. Cloud servers possess and exhibit similar capabilitiesand functionality to a typical server, but are accessed remotely from acloud service provider. Within the cloud server, Block 9902 depicts theprocessor, which executes instructions gathered from various programs,and Block 9904 represents the Jane Database, which is described indetail within FIG. 100.

All of the devices illustrated in FIGS. 96 through 99 have a variety ofother capabilities, most notably the ability to communicate over theInternet to implement the functions that we have described in thesystem.

Within the database illustrated in the FIG. 100, the Product table, asdepicted in Block 10002, contains the following rows the globally uniqueID number in the Jane system (integer), Name: the name of the product(string), Category: the product type (i.e. Flower, Edible, etc.)(string), Description: the product description (string), Percent CBD:percent chemical CBD (optional only for category Flower) (float),Flavors: the product flavor (optional only for category Flower)(multiple strings), Effects: the product effects (optional only forcategory Flower) (multiple strings), Parents: the product's Parents(optional only for category Flower) (Product IDs) (multiple integers),and Photos: array of photos associated with the product (string urls).The Product table is referenced by the other tables within the JaneDatabase using the Product “ID.” Within the MarketUser table (to bedescribed later in Block 10004), the customer's Favorites references thespecific IDs of that customer's favorited products. Within theReservation table (to be described later in Block 10006), thereservation references a Product by ID for a Product included in thereservation. Within the Menu table (to be described later in Block10012), references a Product by ID for a Product included in the menu.Note, the Product table makes no outside references.

Continuing within FIG. 100, the MarketUser table, as depicted in Block10004, contains all users (i.e., the customers) registered in the JaneCustomer App and the following rows of information for each user—ID: theglobally unique ID number in Jane (integer), Nickname: the uniquenickname of the user in Jane (string), Address: the user's address fordelivery (string), Phone: the user's phone number (string), Email: theuser's email address (string), Password: the user's encrypted password(encrypted string), Documents: an array of the user's documents (stringurls), and Favorites: the user's favorite Product IDs (integer). TheMarketUser table is referenced by other tables within the Jane Databaseusing the MarketUser “ID.” Within the Store table (to be described laterin Block 10010), the store Members are reference by the specific usersID. Within the Reservation table (to be described later in Block 10006),the reservation references the user's ID for the user associated with areservation. The MarketUser table references the Product table (ID), inwhich the user's Favorites references the specific IDs of the user'sFavorite Products.

Further within FIG. 100, the Reservation table, as depicted in Block10006, contains all reservations in the Jane Customer App and Jane StoreApp, as well as the following rows of information for eachReservation—ID: the globally unique ID number in Jane (integer),MarketUserID: the ID of the MarketUser associated with the reservation(integer), StoreID: the ID of the Store associated with the reservation(integer), StoreUserID: the ID of the StoreUser associated with thereservation (integer), ProductID: the ID of the Product associated withthe reservation (integer), Price: the price of the Product associatedwith the reservation (float), Quantity: the quantity of the Productassociated with the reservation (float), DateTime: the date and time ofthe reservation (datetime), and State: the current state of thereservation (preparing, completed, etc.)(string). The Reservation tableis referenced by one table within the Jane Database using theReservation “ID.” Within the Review table (to be described later inBlock 10008), the Review references the specific Reservation ID. TheReservation table references various tables within the Jane database. Itreferences the MarketUser (ID), which is the user associated with thereservation, the Store (ID), which is the store associated with thereservation, the StoreUser (ID), which is the store user associated withthe reservation, and the Product (ID), which is the product associatedwith the reservation.

Continuing within FIG. 100, the Review table, as depicted in Block10008, contains all reviews of physical units associated withreservation made in the Jane Customer App and the following rows ofinformation for each Review—ID: the unique ID number in Jane (integer),ReservationID: the ID of the reservation associated with the review(integer), and Rating: the rating associated with the review (float).Note, the Review table is not referenced by any other table. The Reviewtable references the Reservation table (ID), which is the reservationassociated with the review.

Further within FIG. 100, the Store table, as depicted in Block 10010,contains all stores existing in the Jane Market and Store App and thefollowing rows of information for each Store—ID: the unique ID number inJane (integer), Name: the name of the store (string), Type: the type ofthe store (medical or recreational) (string), Address: the store address(string), State: the store US state (suing), Zip: the store zip code(string), Phone: the store phone number (string), Hours: an array ofstore hours (string), Rating: the current rating of the store (float),Picture: a picture for the store logo (string url), Options: an array ofoptions (delivery, pickup, etc.) (string), Members: an array ofMarketUser IDs for users that are members of the store (integer), andClientID: the ID of the Client associated with the Store (integer). TheStore table is referenced by three tables within the Jane Database usingthe Store “ID.” Within the Reservation table (Block 10006), thereservation references the specific Store ID. Within the StoreUser table(Block 10014), the StoreUser is associated with a specific Store ID.Within the Menu table (Block 10012), the menu is associated with aspecific Store ID. The Store table references the Client table (ID),which is the client user associated with the Store, and the MarketUsertable (ID), which is the MarketUser on the members list.

Also within FIG. 100, the Menu table, as depicted in Block 10012,contains all menu items for all stores for use by the Jane Customer Appand Jane Store App as well as the following rows of information for eachMenu item—ID: the unique ID number in Jane (integer), StoreID: the ID ofthe Store associated with the menu item (integer), ProductID: the ID ofthe Product associated with the menu item (integer), Amount: the amountof the menu item (1 Gram, ⅛ Ounce, etc.) (string), Price: the price ofthe menu item (float), Availability: a boolean representing whether ornot the product is available (boolean), and Popular: a booleanrepresenting whether or not the product is popular (boolean). Note thatthe Menu table is not referenced by any other table, though it doesreference the Store table (ID), which is the Store associated with thismenu item, as well as the Product table (ID), which is the productassociated with this menu item.

Within FIG. 100, the StoreUser table, as depicted in Block 10014,contains all StoreUsers for all stores in the Jane Customer App and JaneStore App and the following rows of information for each StoreUser—ID:the unique ID number in Jane (integer), Name: the name of the StoreUser(string), Phone: the phone number of the StoreUser (string), Email: theemail address of the StoreUser (string), Password: the StoreUser'sencrypted password (encrypted string), StoreID: the ID of the Storeassociated with the StoreUser (integer), the ClientID: the ID of theClient associated with the Store (integer), and Role: the role of theStoreUser (manager or staff) (string). The StoreUser table is referencedby the Reservation table (Block 10006), as the reservation referencesthe specific StoreUser ID. Also, the StoreTable references the Clienttable (ID), which is the client user associated with the StoreUser, andthe Store table (ID), which is the store associated with the StoreUser.

Lastly, within FIG. 100, the Client table, as depicted in Block 10016,contains all Clients for all stores in the Jane Customer App and JaneStore App and the following rows of information for each Client—ID: theunique ID number in Jane (integer) and Name: the name of the Client(string). The Client table is referenced by the Store table (Block10010), as the Store references a specific Client ID, and alsoreferenced by the StoreUser table (Block 10014), as the StoreUser isassociated with a specific ClientID.

With reference back to the cloud server within FIG. 99, the memory asdepicted in Block 9906 stores information for the processor. Within thememory, Block 9908 represents the software, which serves as theinstructions from which the processor executes. Within the software,there exists many modules.

The Reservation Platform, as shown in Block 9910, serves many functions.For a particular reservation, the MarketUser (the customer) canadd/remove/edit an item, request the method (delivery or pickup, requestthe time, request the delivery address (for delivery only), add amessage, and provide a review. Also within the Reservation Platform, theStoreUser (the store's manager and staff member) can accept/reject/editthe reservation, assign the reservation to another StoreUser, and changethe state of StoreUser. The inputs to the Reservation Platform are theMarketUser, product(s), amount, store, method, message, time, andStoreUser, while the only output is the review.

Additionally, the Reservation Platform has many key relationships toother software modules. It relates to the Personalization Module(described later in Block 9916), aggregating the correct informationabout the marketUser. The Reservation Platform relates to both the StorePlatform (Block 9918) and Product Platform (Block 9920), aggregating thecorrect information about the Store and requested Products.Additionally, it relates to both the Staff Management (Block 9928) andInventory Management (Block 9930) modules, assigning the reservation tothe correct StoreUser and insuring the requested items are in inventory.Lastly, the Reservation Platform relates to the Review Module (Block9922), attaching a review to the corresponding reservation.

Another module that exists within the software is Content Management, asdefined by Block 9912, which allows the addition, removal, or editing ofProduct variables, Store variables, or Collection variables. The inputsto Content Management are a Product, Store, or Collection, or Product,Store, or Collection variables. The outputs are the updated/addedProduct, Store, or Collection or the confirmation that the Product,Store, or Collection was removed. Content Management has two keyrelationships with other modules within the software. It relates to theProduct Platform (Block 9920), allowing the addition, removal, orediting of Products and, Product variables. Content Management alsorelates to the Store Platform (Block 9918), allowing the addition,removal, or editing of Stores and Store variables.

Also within the software is the Dashboard Module, as defined by Block9914, which displays the home screen of the Jane Customer App. Whilethere are no inputs to the Dashboard Module, its outputs are PopularProducts (randomized), Popular Collections (randomized), and Products(randomized). The Dashboard Module has a key relationship with both theContent Management (Block 9912) and Product Platform (9920), aggregatinginformation to display on the home screen of the Jane Customer App.

Continuing within the software, Block 9916 depicts the PersonalizationModule, which allows the MarketUser to add, edit, or remove userinformation. Its only input is a MarketUser variable, while its outputis the updated/added/removed variable. Furthermore, the PersonalizationModule has two key relationships. First, it relates to both the StorePlatform (Block 9918) and the Product Platform (9920), allowing users toFavorite a Store or Product as well as become a Member of a Store.Second, the Personalization Module relates to the Review Module (Block9922) by associating a review with a user's personalized information.

Block 9918 represents the Store Platform, which exists within thesoftware and allows the Store to add, edit, or remove store information.Its inputs are Store variables, products, MarketUsers, and StoreUsers,while its outputs are the updated/added/removed store variables,products. MarketUsers, and StoreUsers. Note, the Store Platform has manykey relationships to other software modules. It relates to ContentManagement (Block 9912) by aggregating information about the Store thatresides in Content Management. It relates to Review Module (Block 9922)by aggregating rating in reviews for the Store rating. The StorePlatform relates to Personalization Module (Block 9916) by addingMarketUsers to Members list, and it relates to Product Platform (Block9920) by adding Products to Store Menu. Also, it relates to StaffManagement (Block 9928) by aggregating information about the StoreUsersthat reside in Staff Management. Finally, the Store Platform relates toInventory Management (Block 9930) by updating the Store Menu based onthe Inventory Management updates.

Continuing within the software, Block 9920 shows the Product Platform,which enables the addition, removal, or editing of Products and Productvariables. Its inputs are a Product or Product variables, while itoutputs are the added, removed, or edited Products or Product variables.The Product Platform has two key relationships. First, it relates toContent Management (Block 9912) by aggregating information about theProduct that resides within the Content Management module. Second, theProduct Platform relates to the Store Platform (Block 9918) byaggregating the list of Stores in which the Product is available andpopular.

Also within the software is the Review Module, depicted in Block 9922,which allows the addition or removal of the review. Its only input isthe review, while its only output is the review. The Product Platformhas two key relationships. First, it relates to both the ProductPlatform (Block 9920) and the Store Platform (Block 9918) by storingProduct and Store information in the review. Second, it relates to thePersonalization Module (Block 9916) by aggregating information of theMarketUser to display within the review.

Block 9924 shows the Suggestion Engine (Block 9924), which searches,sorts, and filters a Product list based on Product Effects. Its input isthe list of desired Effects and their importance in the suggestionsearch, while it output is the sorted list of Products. The SuggestionEngine relates to the Product Platform (Block 9920) by aggregating allProducts in order to search, sort, and filter based on desired effects.

Continuing within the software, Block 9926 represents the Search Engine,which searches for Products or Stores. Its inputs are the product orStore options and a search string, while its outputs are the matchingProducts or Stores. The Search Engine relates to both the ProductPlatform (9920) and the Store Platform (Block 9918) by aggregating allProducts/Stores in order to search and filter based on desired optionsand search string.

Block 9928 depicts the Staff Management module, which allows StoreUserto assign the reservation to another StoreUser. Its inputs are StoreUserand reservation, while its outputs are either True or False based onStoreUser's response. The Staff Management module relates to the StorePlatform (Block 9918) by aggregating available StoreUsers that can bemanaged.

The last module described within the software is Inventory Management,shown in Block 9930, which allows for the addition, removal, or editingof Menu Items and their variables. Its inputs are the Menu item or menuitem variables, while its outputs are the updated/added/edited menuitem. Inventory Management has two key relationships with other moduleswithin the software. First, it relates to Product Platform (Block 9920)by aggregating product information and relating it to the on-siteInventory System. Second, it relates to the Store Platform (Block 9918)by updating necessary Store Menu items.

Finally continuing within the software, Block 9932 represents theoperating software, which manages the device's hardware and softwareresources and provides common services for computer programs. Lastly,within the operating software, the operating system in Block 9934supports the device's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks,executing applications, and controlling peripherals.

Many of the functions of the system are managed, supervised, reviewed,altered, and observed by the various kinds of users through userinterfaces displayed on the devices that we have been describing. Theuser interfaces also provide the opportunity for the users to navigateinformation and to provide inputs. Here we describe the features andflow of example screenshots of mobile devices running the Jane Store Appand the Jane Customer App. These are only examples, and, of course, awide variety of other user interfaces could be provided.

FIGS. 2 through 94 and 101 through 121 show three groups of thumbnailsof the platform's actual page content. FIG. 1 provides a key to some ofthe markings on the figures. Each of the groups relate to pages seen bya particular type of user. The four types of users and their roles inJane's operation are as follows:

Customer: reserves items from a store. This user's role is to discoverproducts, compare stores, and reserve products from a selected store.

Manager: an employee of a store. This user's role is to verify thereservation details, and assign the reservation to be fulfilled by astore's staff member.

Staff: an employee of a store. This user's role is to prepare therequested items and complete the reservation.

Client: an owner of a store (or multiple stores). This user's role is toinvite new employees to the platform and monitor ongoing and completedreservations.

Customer Page. The flow through the customer page begins with a sequenceof pages that qualify the user in the following ways. The page thumbnail10 allows the user to verify that age requirements are met, and thenproceeds to the page thumbnail 12, which provides a notice to the userabout access confirmation based on location. Once the user agrees toallow geo-location services in page thumbnail 14, the user's currentposition is displayed in page thumbnail 16. After the user acknowledgespossession of any required certifications, the flow then proceeds topage thumbnail 18, which permits the user to enter the Jane platform byselecting a specific user role.

Upon entering the platform, the user begins on page thumbnail 22, whichshowcases a selection of available physical items and provides theability for various methods of product discovery (that is, ofdiscovering other available physical units). Once a user selects aspecific item, the flow then proceeds to page thumbnail 36, whichprovides a description of that specific item and the number of stores(locations or places) in which the item is currently available, Afterselecting to search for those stores, the user proceeds to pagethumbnail 42, where a map and corresponding list of the respectivestores is provided and can be organized by individual needs andcriteria. After deciding to reserve the item from a specific store andconfirming the quantity desired, the user then proceeds to pagethumbnail 68. There, the user can edit the items requested, continueshopping, or proceed with a checkout process.

Upon proceeding with the checkout process, the flow continues to pagethumbnail 74, where the user provides the required (as well as optional)information necessary for the reservation (that is, to reserve theselected units to be picked up at or delivered by the selected store).Note, the user can also provide and set as default some of thisinformation on their profile page. Once the information is provided, theuser requests the reservation from the store, and then proceeds to pagethumbnail 80, which allows the user to track the ongoing status of thereservation. Note that the user will have the ability to cancel thereservation only before the receiving store has accepted and assignedthe reservation to a staff member. Once the reservation has beenassigned to a staff member, the user will no longer have the ability tocancel the reservation request on the Jane platform.

Manager Page. After a customer requests a reservation from a specificstore, the flow through the store manager page begins on page thumbnail122, which displays all incoming reservations that have not yet beenassigned to a staff member. Once a specific reservation is selected, theflow proceeds to page thumbnail 124. which allows the manager user toreview the reservation information in detail, contact the customerdirectly, or request to reschedule the reservation time window. If themanager user decides to cancel the reservation as depicted on pagethumbnail 126, the customer will be notified accordingly and the flowwill end. If the user chooses to assign the reservation to an availablestaff member, the flow proceeds to page thumbnail 146, where the store'savailable staff members and the number of their assigned reservationsare displayed. After a staff member has been selected and assigned thereservation, the user proceeds to page thumbnail 148, where the optionto un-assign the reservation is now made available and continues to beavailable throughout the duration of the reservation process. At thesame time, the respective staff member is notified of the assignment,and the corresponding customer page is updated as depicted on pagethumbnail 96.

Staff Member Page. After the store's manager assigns a reservation, theflow continues through the store's staff member page and begins on pagethumbnail 176. There, the staff member user can view only thereservations that have been assigned to him or her. When a user selectsan ongoing reservation in the queue, the flow proceeds to page thumbnail188, where the user can review the reservation information in detail.After the items have been prepared by the staff member, the user canupdate the status of the notification as depicted on page thumbnail180/182, which then will automatically update the reservation status onthe corresponding customer page as depicted on page thumbnail 98. Alsonote that the status of the reservation automatically synchs with thecorresponding staff member inputs, as depicted on page thumbnail 130.Once the reservation is completed, the user updates the status asdepicted on page thumbnail 184/186, causing the corresponding customerpage to update as depicted on page thumbnail 100. The flow thencontinues to the customer page, where the customer user must rate theoverall reservation experience. Once inputted by the user, thecustomer's rating is recorded as depicted on page thumbnail 102, as wellas on all corresponding manager and staff member pages.

Customer user. The customer user begins on page thumbnail 10, which isshown in FIG. 2. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the user confirms thatshe meets the requirements to enter the app by activating the button202. The user then moves to page thumbnail 12, and as shown incorresponding FIG. 3, the user is prompted to verify her location viabutton 302. Before her location is verified, the user is prompted toallow geo-location services within the platform, as shown in pagethumbnail 14, and further described in detail in FIG. 4. As referencedin FIG. 4, the user can either deny or allow the geo-location services,as shown on buttons 402 and 404, respectively. If the user chooses todeny geo-location services, the platform will be unable to locate theuser's location and limit her access. If the user chooses to allowgeo-location services, her location will be identified, and the state inwhich she is physically present will be depicted, as shown on pagethumbnail 16, and described in further detail in FIG. 5.

As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the user is presented with two options.Button 502 allows the user to confirm that she has the required medicaldocumentation (that is, required proof that she is authorized to buy anduse the physical units that are the subject of her order, in accordancewith governmental regulations). Button 504 allows the user to confirmthat she is not in possession of such documentation. If the user invokesbutton 504, the platform will not provide her access to content thatwould otherwise require the necessary documentation. If the user,however, selects button 502 and confirms accordingly, the correspondingcontent would then be made available to her on the platform. Eitherselection of button 502 or 504 will take the user to page thumbnail 18,which is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the user canselect one of the three options. Link 606 would allow the user tocontinue without providing any information, but with limited access tocontent that would otherwise be made available to a registered user. Ifthe user selects button 602, she will be prompted to provide thefollowing information and become a registered user on the platform:username, email, phone number, and password. If the user selects button604, the flow progresses to page thumbnail 20, and depicted in FIG. 7.

Within FIG. 7, the user has the ability to revert back to page thumbnail18 by invoking link 702. If she has forgotten her password, she canaccess panel 708 and be provided the opportunity to retrieve it.Otherwise, when the user provides her username and password as depictedin text fields 704 and 706, and after she chooses to log into theplatform via button 710, the user enters the platform and begins on pagethumbnail 22, which is shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in detail in FIG. 8, the user is presented with several panels.The top text field 802 allows the user to search for a specific productby name, while button 804 can be invoked to navigate to page thumbnails24 and 26, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively. With reference toFIG. 10, the user can manipulate the sliders as shown on buttons 1006,1008, 1010, 1012, and 1014, and apply those settings to her productsearch by accessing link 1004. Upon doing so, the user is directed topage thumbnail 32, which serves as a landing page upon which a morerefined search may be conducted, as depicted in detail in FIG. 13.There, the user may select a specific item 1310, filter the productsearch to meet specified parameters 1304, or search by product name1306. Searching the product by name will dynamically update thedisplayed items to match the user inputs, as displayed on page thumbnail34 and in detail in FIG. 14, where user options are consistent withthose described in FIG. 13. If the user selects to filter the productsearch 1304, the user is directed to page thumbnail 196, as described indetail in FIG. 101.

Within FIG. 101, the default setting is set to “ON” via toggle 10106,enabling the user to see only items that are currently in storeinventory. The user can select any or all product filters (e.g. Edible,Tincture, etc.), and either apply such filters via button 10104 or clearall filters via button 10108. Note that the user can also cancel theaction via button 10102

Continuing within FIG. 8, the user can select to view curatedcollections of products by accessing either link 808 or button 810. Ifthe user chooses to select link 808, she is presented with a listing ofall curated product collections on the platform, as shown on pagethumbnail 28 and FIG. 11. The user can also choose to directly viewproducts within a specific collection by accessing button 810 on FIG. 8or panel 1102 in FIG. 11, which would then progress the user to pagethumbnail 30, and described in detail in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, the user has many options available to her. She canrevert back to the listings of collections via link 1202. She can addand record certain items as a “favorite” by activating links 1204, 1208,1212, 1216, 1220, and 1226 which provides the registered user with easyaccess to certain flagged items. The user also has the option in FIG. 12to search for the stores where a selected item is currently available bypressing buttons 1206, 1210, 1214, 1218, 1222, and 1228. Where there isvideo content available, as depicted on video link 1224 in FIG. 12, theuser may select the video and watch its content within the platform.Finally, the user may email the platform's administrators by accessinglink 1230 in FIG. 12.

With reference to FIG. 8, the user may elect to view the entireinventory of all products hosted on the platform by selecting links 812or 816, where she can refine her search by product name or otherspecified parameters. Panel 806 represents a navigable list of popularproducts, for example “OG Kush,” while panel 814 also provides the sameability to select a specific product from within FIG. 8. When the userinvokes one of those items, the flow continues directly to pagethumbnail 36, and described in detail in FIG. 15. Also note, the usermay navigate directly to various elements of the platform at any time byaccessing controls 818 (Products), 820 (Collections), 822 (Stores), 824(Reservation), and 826 (Profile). This feature is not limited to FIG. 8,but is available on any page once the user enters the platform.

Once the user selects a specific product and is directed to thumbnail36, FIG. 15 displays all user options in detail. The user may revertback to the previous page by selecting link 1502. She may also flag acertain item as a “favorite” as shown in link 1504, or continue readingthe item's description by invoking link 1508. The user can also searchfor stores where the selected item is currently available, and byactivating button 1506, continues the flow to page thumbnail 42.

FIG. 18 depicts page thumbnail 42 in detail, and provides the user withan interactive map and corresponding scrollable list of stores inpossession of the previously selected item. The user may select link1802. and revert to back to the previous page. She may also choose toapply certain filters to her store search by selecting link 1804 andprogressing to page thumbnail 38, and shown further in FIG. 16. Asdisplayed in FIG. 16, the user may select to switch on toggles 1606,1608, 1610, 1612, 1614, and 1618. She can remove a filter setting bydeselecting each toggle switch individually, or she may clear allfilters at once by selecting link 1620. Once the user applies any or allfilters by selecting link 1604, she returns to page thumbnail 42 with anupdated map view and corresponding list of stores that meet theparameters set by the selected filters.

Continuing within FIG. 18, the user may tap a pin on the map, as shownon pin 1806, and in doing so, only that store's information would bedisplayed above that selected pin in an actionable banner. Referencebutton 3008 in FIG. 30 for a graphical depiction of the actionablebanner. Additionally, the user can sort the list of stores by accessinglink 1808, which would direct the flow to page thumbnail 40, and asshown in FIG. 17, the list may be sorted by price 1702, popularity 1704,or proximity 1706. Once buttons 1702, 1704, or 1706 is activated, theuser is returned to page thumbnail 42, where the list wouldautomatically be sorted according to previously desired setting. Note,price is the default setting by which the list of stores is organized.

Further within FIG. 18, by tapping any specific store information asoutlined anywhere within panel 1810, the user will move directly to thatstore's specific page, which is represented on page thumbnail 58 andlater described in FIG. 26. If the user selects button 1812 within FIG.18, she progresses the flow to page thumbnail 50, as depicted in full onFIG. 22.

Within FIG. 22, the user is able to choose a quantity for the desiredproduct by selecting buttons 2202, 2204, 206, 2208, or 2210. She mayalso cancel the action by selecting button 2212, which would revert herback to page thumbnail 42. If the user does select a quantity, sheproceeds to page thumbnail 68, which is described in detail in FIG. 31.

FIG. 31 shows many available actions for the user. By selecting link3102, the user is able to edit her cart and is directed to pagethumbnail 70, and displayed further in FIG. 32. Within FIG. 32, the usercan adjust the quantity of the selected item by activating button 3206,or she may remove the item altogether by activating link 3204. The usermay also save her updated edits by selecting link 3202 at any time. Ifthe user chooses to remove the item altogether, she will proceed to pagethumbnail 72, which is depicted in detail in FIG. 33. Within FIG. 33,the user has two options. Either she can cancel the action to remove theitem altogether by selecting button 3302, or she may confirm the removalby selecting button 3304.

Continuing within FIG. 31, by tapping link 3106, the user may elect tocontinue her product search at the store in which she selected theprevious item, and she will be moved to page thumbnail 58, described indetail in FIG. 26. Within FIG. 26, the user finds herself at thespecific store's page, which allows her many actions. She can continueto search all stores by selecting link 2602, or she may search for aspecific product within that store's inventory by selecting link 2604and inputting the product name in an automatically revealed text field.Also, the user may elect to read further or close altogether a noticepresented by the platform's admin by selecting links 2606 and 2608,respectively. She may also elect to flag this store as a “favorite” byinvoking link 2610, which provides the registered user with easy accessto certain flagged items.

Also within FIG. 26, the user can reference the store's reviews byselecting tab 2612 and proceeding to page thumbnail 56, which isdepicted fully in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 25, the user still has thesame actions available to her as described previously in FIG. 26, exceptthat the store's reviews are now displayed in a scrollable list.Similarly, and with reference back to FIG. 26, she may select to viewthe store's detailed information by selecting tab 2614 and proceeding topage thumbnail 54, which is displayed in detail on FIG. 24. Within FIG.24, the user still has the same actions available to her as describedpreviously in FIG. 26, except that the store's hours, contactinformation, and services are now displayed. Note, the user can connectvia phone call to the store directly by selecting link 2412.

Continuing within FIG. 26, the user is presented with a navigable listof popular products, as shown in panel 2616. By tapping on a particularitem, she is directed to page thumbnail 60, which is displayed in detailin FIG. 27. There, the user has all the same available actions aspreviously described in FIG. 15, and she can add an additional item toher already existing cart by invoking button 2706. With reference backto FIG. 26, the user can view all available categories (and the numberof items listed within each category) of a particular store's menu, asshown in panels 2618, 2620, 2622, 2624, 2626, 2628, 2630, 2632, and2634. By selecting a particular panel, the user proceeds to thecorresponding category's full scrollable list on page thumbnail 62, anddescribed in detail in FIG. 28.

Within FIG. 28, the user can revert back to the specific store's page byinvoking link 2802, and she can search for all available item's withinthis respective menu category by inputting the product by name in textfield 2804. Also, the user can proceed to a specific items page bytapping anywhere as depicted in panel 2806, or she may add a productdirectly to her cart by pressing button 2808. Finally, if the user hasalready added an item to her cart, she can return directly to the cartby selecting button 2810.

With reference back to FIG. 31, when the user is satisfied with her cartitems, she can invoke the button 3104, which would direct her to pagethumbnail 74, depicted in full in FIG. 34. Before proceeding to thedescription of page thumbnail 74, note that this store page may beavailable to the user without first selecting a product, as described inpage thumbnail 66 and in further detail on FIG. 30. Within FIG. 30, theuser can search by store name by selecting action 3002, implementfilters as previously described by selecting link 3004, and orient theactionable map in various ways by selecting action 3006. As describedpreviously, if the user taps on a pin in the map, as shown on pin 3012,a banner will appear as depicted in panel 3008. If the user taps panels3008 or 3016, she will proceed directly to the specific page of thatselected store. Note, if the user has arrived to this store page via thenavigation panel (see FIG. 8 button 822), and she selects the link 3014within FIG. 30, she will proceed to page thumbnail 64, which is shown infull in FIG. 29. There, the user will have the ability to sort the storelist only by proximity (2902) or popularity (2904).

Proceeding with the flow to page thumbnail 74, which is depicted indetail on FIG. 34, the user must input information before requesting thereservation from the corresponding store. The user may cancel thecheckout process at any time by invoking link 3402. With respect to therequired documents, the user may upload these documents beforehand viathe profile page. The user can upload a photo ID by pressing anywherewithin panel 3404, which will direct her to page thumbnail 44, which isdisplayed in full on FIG. 19. Within FIG. 19, the user can select button1904, which will enable the user to upload a. photo ID from her device'sdocument library or camera directly. In addition, the same conceptapplies when the user chooses to upload other documents (as necessary),as shown on panel 3406 in FIG. 34. By selecting panel 3406, the userproceeds to page thumbnail 46, which is shown in detail in FIG. 20.Within FIG. 20, she can upload the front and back of any additionallyrequired documents via her device as previously described in FIG. 19.

With reference back to FIG. 34, the user can select her items to arriveby delivery or to be made available in-store for pickup (depending onthe store's available capabilities and any regulatory constraints) byselecting the corresponding button in panel 3408. Note, if the userchooses to reserve her items for in-store pickup, her page will adjustto page thumbnail 78, which is shown in full in FIG. 36. The onlydifference between FIGS. 34 and 36 is that the store's address willautomatically populate (and cannot be edited) for in-store pickupreservations, while the delivery address must be input by the user fordelivery reservations, as depicted in panel 3410 in FIG. 34.

By selecting panel 3410, the user will be directed to page thumbnail 52,which is displayed in FIG. 23. Within FIG. 23, she can revert back tothe checkout page by invoking link 2302, and she can input the addressinformation via her device's keyboard, as depicted in text fields 2306,2308, and 2310. When she taps on panel 2310, a list of locations appear,where the user can scroll to a desired location as shown in action 2316,and then tap on link 2314 to select accordingly. Upon saving theinputted information by selecting link 2304, she returns to FIG. 34. Inorder to select a desired time for the reservation, the user taps intopanel 3412, which will make a scrollable list appear as shown in pagethumbnail 76, which is described in detail on FIG. 35. Within FIG. 35,the user can scroll to the desired time she requests the reservation, asshown depicted in action 3504, and then tap on link 3502 to selectaccordingly, In doing so, the user returns back to FIG. 34. As anadditional option, the user may add a personalized message to the storewith reference to this reservation by tapping anywhere in the text box3414, causing a text box to appear. Only after the required informationis inputted may the user tap the button 3416 to finalize the reservationand send the request to the corresponding store. Note, if the requiredinformation is not properly inputted by the user, she will be unable toconfirm the reservation and continue the flow.

After pressing button 3416 in FIG. 34, the reservation request is sentfrom the user's platform to the corresponding store manager's platform,as shown on page thumbnail 122, and later described in detail in FIG.58. Pressing button 3416 in FIG. 34 also directs the user to the profilepage, depicted on page thumbnail 80 and in detail in FIG. 37. WithinFIG. 37, the user can access personal information by selecting panels3704, 3706 and 3708 to view identification documents, contactinformation, and store membership & favorites (for both stores andproducts), respectively. The user may also view profile settings byselecting link 3702, which is depicted on FIG. 38. Within FIG. 38, theuser can edit profile username, email, phone number, and avatar byselecting button 3806. She can select her avatar by invoking button3808, change her password via button 3810, or manage notifications bypressing button 3812. Additionally within FIG. 38, the user may view theplatform's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy in full by selecting buttons3814 and 3816, respectively. Lastly, the user may elect to Log Out ofthe platform by selecting link 3804, which would prompt her via pagethumbnail 84 and depicted on FIG. 39 to confirm or deny the Log Outrequest via buttons 3904 and 3902, respectively.

Continuing within FIG. 37, the user may also select a reservation toreview in more detail by selecting an ongoing reservation (panel 3710)or a completed reservation (panel 3712). If a user selects an ongoingreservation, then she is directed to page thumbnail 94, which isdescribed in detail in FIG. 44. Within FIG. 44, the user can view inreal-time the status of her reservation, which is directly synched withthe corresponding store's manager and staff member inputs from theirrespective platforms. The user can return to the profile page byselecting link 4402, or she can view the receipt of her reservation byselecting tab 4404, which allows her to view her cart items, as shown onleads her to page thumbnail 90 and in further detail on FIG. 42. WithinFIG. 44, if the user selects tab 4406, the platform then displays thestore information in detail. She can also revert back to the specificstore page by invoking link 4108, or the user may also contact the storedirectly via phone by accessing link 4110, which will automatically dialthe number and call the store's phone.

Note, we will return to the customer user and corresponding pages whenwe describe the flow from the perspectives of the corresponding store'smanager and assigned staff member. Until then, the flow progresses topage thumbnail 122, which is displayed in detail on FIG. 58.

Manager User. When the customer presses button 3416 in FIG. 34, thereservation request is sent from the customer's platform to the storemanager user's platform, which is shown on page thumbnail 122 and infull detail on FIG. 58. Note, the user must first sign in before havingaccess to the platform. As shown in page thumbnail 106, which isdisplayed in full in FIG. 50. Within FIG. 50, the manager user must LogIn by inputting his name or email in text field 5004, inputting hispassword in text field 5006, and pressing the button 5010 to gainaccess. Also, the user may select link 5008 to initiate lost passwordprocedures, and he may select link 5002 to view an instructional manual,presenting page thumbnail 104, which is depicted in detail in FIG. 49.

Continuing within FIG. 58, the store manager user is able to view allincoming reservations as shown by default panel selection 5806. Here,the user can view the reservation's time, address, type (delivery orin-store), customer's username, tracking number, and time elapsed sincethe reservation had been requested. By selecting a specific reservationbutton, as identified in panel 5802, the user progresses to pagethumbnail 124, which is to be described in further detail in FIG. 59. Inaddition, the user may navigate to various pages directly by selectingthe panels 5808, 5810, or 5812. Note, this navigation panel is availableto the user at any time throughout the flow.

By selecting panel 5808 in FIG. 58, the user is able to review allongoing reservations that have been assigned to his store's staffmembers, and is directed to page thumbnail 120, which is displayed infull on FIG. 57. With the ability to view each ongoing reservation bydesignated staff member, the user can select a reservation button, asoutlined in panels 5702, 5704, and 5706, and will progress to pagethumbnail 148 and later described in full in FIG. 71.

By selecting panel 5810 in FIG. 58, the user is able to review allreservations that have been completed by his store's staff members, andis directed to page thumbnail 116, which is displayed in detail in FIG.55. Within FIG. 55, he is able to review the respective reservationdetails in addition to the review received from the reserving customer.By selecting a reservation button, depicted in panels 5502 and 5504, theuser proceeds to page thumbnail 118, which is shown in FIG. 56. WithinFIG. 56, the information displayed is exactly the same as in FIG. 59 (tobe described later), except for the fact that the ability to assignreservations has been disabled. Instead, and in its place, the user canview the type, time, and date at which the reservation was completed.

By selecting panel 5812 in FIG. 58, the user is able to review hisprofile, and is directed to page thumbnail 110, which is displayed indetail in FIG. 52. Within FIG. 52, the user is able to Log Out byselecting link 5202. in doing so, he is prompted by page thumbnail 108,which is described further in FIG. 51. There, he has the option tocancel or confirm the Log Out request by selecting buttons 5102 and5104, respectively. With reference back to FIG. 52, the user has theability to edit his name and phone number by selecting actions 5204 and5206, respectively. The user also has the ability to view all staffmember availability by selecting action 5208, directing him to pagethumbnail 112, which is detailed in FIG. 53. Within FIG. 53, the usercan return to his profile by selecting link 5302, or he can select astaff member to contact. He selects a staff member by tapping anywherein the user panel 5304, and by doing so, the user is shown pagethumbnail 114, which is portrayed in FIG. 54. Within FIG. 54, the userhas three options. He can revert back to the previous page by selectinglink 5402, he can text the staff member by pressing icon 5404, or he cancall the staff member directly by pressing icon 5406.

Continuing within FIG. 58, if the user selects a particular reservationbutton, as outlined in panel 5802, he will proceed with the flow to pagethumbnail 124. FIG. 59 depicts page thumbnail 124 in detail, and allowsthe user many available actions. The user may return to the previouspage by selecting link 5902. He may also review the requested items tobe reserved by the customer in selecting tab 5904, which is shown onpage thumbnail 128 and depicted in detail in FIG. 61. Within FIG. 61,the user is able to review the customer's cart items, in addition to therespective quantities and prices. Tapping tab 6104 will revert the userback to page thumbnail 124. as referenced in FIG. 59. Also within FIG.59, he may select tab 5906, directing him to page thumbnail 126, whichis depicted in detail in FIG. 60. Within FIG. 60, the user may view thestatus of the reservation in real-time, which is synched to thecorresponding platforms of the customer and staff member to which thereservation belongs. Also, the user has the ability to cancel thereservation at any time prior to assigning it to a staff member byinvoking link 6008. Tapping tab 6004 will return the user back tothumbnail 124, as referenced in FIG. 59.

Continuing within FIG. 59, the user may identify the reservation'srequesting customer as a member to his store. Under certaincircumstances, members may be the only ones who can make reservations ata particular store, or members may also be identified for the sake ofextending them price discounts or other “members-only” promotions. Byselecting the toggle switch 5908, the user can identify the customer asa member or non-member. Reference page thumbnail 132 and correspondingFIG. 63 for further detail. Within FIG. 63, if the customer is not yet amember of the store at which she is requesting the reservation, the userwill see a message as it appears on page thumbnail 134, which is shownin detail in FIG. 64. If the customer is already a member of the storeat which she is requesting the reservation, the user will see a messageas it appears on page thumbnail 136, which is shown in detail in FIG.65. Likewise, the assigned staff member will view a correspondingmessage as shown on page thumbnail 138, which is described in detailwithin FIG. 66, for reservations for non-member customers, while themessage as shown on page thumbnail 140, and in greater detail in FIG.67, will appear for the staff member when assigned customers who aremembers of the store.

With reference back to FIG. 59, the user has the ability to contact thecustomer directly by activating link 5910, progressing him to pagethumbnail 152, which is described in full on FIG. 73. Within FIG. 73,the user can call the customer directly via button 7302, text thecustomer directly via 7304, or cancel the action altogether via button7306. Cancelling the action would return the user back to the specificreservation page, which is further described in FIG. 59.

Continuing within FIG. 59, the user can request to reschedule thereservation for a different time than originally requested by thecustomer. By selecting drop-down menu 5912, a scrollable list of timesis presented as shown on page thumbnail 144, which is described indetail in FIG. 69. Within FIG. 69, the user is able to cancel the actionof requesting to reschedule by selecting action 6914, or he can scrollto select a new time via action 6918. Once he taps link 6916, thescrollable list of times disappears, and the user moves to pagethumbnail 142, which is displayed in full on FIG. 68. Within FIG. 68,note that the ability to assign the respective reservation is no longeravailable, and instead the user sees a message within panel 6818 thatdescribes how the reschedule is pending confirmation from the customer.

When the user confirms a reschedule request by selecting link 6916 inFIG. 69, a notification will be automatically be sent to the customervia page thumbnail 86, which is shown in detail in FIG. 40. Within FIG.40, the customer can cancel the reservation altogether via button 4002or accept the proposed reschedule via button 4004. If the customeraccepts the reschedule by invoking button 4004 in FIG. 40, the user willreceive an alert as shown on page thumbnail 154, which is shown in fullin FIG. 74. Within FIG. 74, the user will have the ability to assign thereservation to an available staff member immediately via button 7404 orat a later time via button 7402. If the customer instead cancels thereservation altogether by invoking button 4002 in FIG. 40, the user willreceive an alert as shown on page thumbnail 156, which is shown in fullin FIG. 75. Within FIG. 74, the user will have the ability to dismissthis alert and close the box via button 7502 or contact the customerdirectly via phone or text message by pressing button 7504.

With reference back to all available user actions within FIG. 59, he canview in full and manipulate (e.g., zoom, scroll, etc.) the customer'suploaded identification card by pressing anywhere directly on the photo5914. Similarly, the user can perform the same function with anyadditional documents uploaded by the customer, as in example document5916. Additionally, the user may assign the reservation to an on-dutystaff member by pressing button 5918. In doing so, the user proceeds topage thumbnail 146.

Continuing with page thumbnail 146, which is depicted in detail in FIG.70, the user can revert back to the previous page by selecting link7002. Also, the user may view all available staff members at the storeand the respective number of reservations currently assigned to each ofthem. The user can select a staff member via action 7006 and confirm theassignment by activating link 7004. Also, note the available option forthe user to self-assign the reservation via button 7008.

Pressing link 7004 in FIG. 70 accomplishes three things simultaneously,First, a notification is sent to the assigned staff member's pagethumbnail 176, which is later described in detail in FIG. 85. Second,the status is automatically updated on the corresponding customer's pagethumbnail 96, which is depicted fully in FIG. 45. Within FIG. 45, notonly is the customer able to see the name of the staff member assignedto the reservation, but also by invoking the newly appeared link 4508,the user is able to contact that particular specific member via phone ortext message. The third action that automatically takes place when theuser presses link 7004 in FIG. 70 is that the flow proceeds to pagethumbnail 148, which is shown in FIG. 71.

Continuing within FIG. 71, all actions available to the user replicatethose described in FIG. 59, except for two. The first is that the he isnow unable to request a reschedule. The second is that now the user canun-assign the reservation from the previously assigned staff member bypressing button 7116, which directs him to page thumbnail 150. Pagethumbnail 150 is depicted in detail in FIG. 72, where it is shown thatthe user can cancel the action by pressing button 7202, or confirm theun-assignment by pressing button 7204. By invoking button 7204, the userwill return to page thumbnail 124. Otherwise, the manager user's flowwill remain at page thumbnail 148, where he will have the ability totrack the status of the reservation via tab 7106 in FIG. 71. Onceassigned to the staff member, the overall process flow continues to thestaff member's page, which begins on the page thumbnail 176 that isdetailed in FIG. 85.

Staff Member User. When the manager selects link 7004 in FIG. 70, theflow proceeds to page thumbnail 176, where the staff member user canreview all ongoing reservations that are assigned to him. Note, the LogIn procedures for the staff member user as shown in page thumbnails 158(FIG. 76) and 160 (FIG. 77) replicate those described in manager pagethumbnails 106 (FIG. 50) and 104 (FIG. 49). The roles of manager andstaff member will be linked and applied accordingly to specificindividuals by name, email, and password.

Continuing with page thumbnail 176, which is depicted in FIG. 85, thestaff member user can also review the reservations that he has completedby selecting tab 8504, and proceed to page thumbnail 178. As shown inFIG. 86, which displays page thumbnail 178 in detail, the user canreview a scrollable list of all his completed reservations. He mayselect a particular reservation to view in greater detail by pressinganywhere within the reservation button, as shown in button 8606, whichdirects him to a similar page as described in FIG. 55. By tapping thetab 8604 in FIG. 86, the user returns to page thumbnail 176, which isdepicted in FIG. 85.

Continuing within FIG. 85, the user may also proceed to his profile pageby tapping icon 8502. In doing so, the user is directed to pagethumbnail 162, which is detailed in FIG. 78. Within FIG. 78, the userhas many available actions. He can close the profile page and return tothe previous page by selecting link 7802. The user also has the abilityLog Out by invoking link 7804 and proceeding to page thumbnail 164,which is depicted fully in FIG. 79. Within FIG. 79, the user can cancelthe action by pressing button 7902, or he can confirm the Log Outprocess by pressing button 7904. Note, if a user logs out of theplatform, he is no longer made available for reservation assignment onhis corresponding store manager's platform.

Continuing within FIG. 78, the user can tap field 7806, directing him topage thumbnail 166, which is displayed in FIG. 80. Within FIG. 80, theuser can revert to previous page by selecting link 8002, or he can editdirectly into the text field 8006. By pressing link 8004, his edits willbe saved and the user returned to page thumbnail 162. Continuing withinFIG. 78, the user can tap field 7808, directing him to page thumbnail168, which is detailed in FIG. 81. Within FIG. 81, the user can revertto previous page by selecting link 8102, or he can edit directly intothe text field 8106. By pressing link 8104, his edits will be saved andthe user returned to page thumbnail 162.

Continuing within FIG. 78, the user may also select the type ofreservation for which he is available (delivery or in-store) by tappingfield 7810, directing him to page thumbnail 170, which is displayed inFIG. 82. Within FIG. 82, the user can return to the previous page byselecting link 8202, or change the type of reservation by selectingaction 8206. If the user wants to save his changes, he must invoke link8204, which will confirm the type of reservation for which he isavailable (delivery or in-store), and return him to page thumbnail 162.

Continuing within FIG. 78, the user may view his store's managers, andcan select one to contact directly by pressing field 7812. In doing so,the user is directed to page thumbnail 174, which is depicted in full onFIG. 84. Within FIG. 84, the user may elect to return to the previouspage by selecting link 8402, or he may contact his store's managerdirectly via text message (8404) or phone call (8406).

With reference back to FIG. 85, if the user selects a specificreservation by tapping anywhere within outlined field 8506, he proceedsto page thumbnail 188, which is detailed in FIG. 91. The actionsavailable to the user in FIG. 91 are similar to those available to themanager in thumbnail 124. Within FIG. 91, the user is able to revertback to the previous page by invoking link 9102. He is also able to viewthe reservation's cart items requested by the customer by tapping on thereceipt tab 9104. He may also track in real-time the ongoing status ofthe reservation by tapping on the tracking tab 9106. If the user taps onlink 9108, he is presented with page thumbnail 190, which is fullydisplayed in FIG. 92. Within FIG. 92, the user may contact the customerdirectly via phone call via button 9202 or text message via button 9204.By selecting button 9206 in FIG. 92, the user cancels the previousaction and returns to page thumbnail 188.

Continuing within FIG. 91, the user may view in full and manipulate(e.g., zoom, scroll, etc.) the customer's uploaded identification cardby pressing anywhere directly on the photo 9110. Similarly, the user canperform the same function with any additional documents uploaded by thecustomer, as in example document 9112. Additionally, the user may updatethe status of the reservation by tapping into the drop-down menu 9114,and bringing about page thumbnail 180 for delivery reservations, whichis detailed in FIG. 87, or page thumbnail 182 for in-store reservations,which is detailed in FIG. 88. Within FIG. 87, the user can cancel theaction and close the list by selecting button 8708. Within FIG. 88, theuser can cancel the action and close the list by selecting button 8808.Furthermore, the user may update the status of reservation by selectingsuch options as button 8704 in FIG. 87 for delivery reservations, or byselecting the corresponding button 8804 in FIG. 88 for in-storereservations.

In doing either of these actions, the following events occursimultaneously. Not only does the customer's status change accordinglyon page thumbnail 98, which is shown in detail in FIG. 46, but also theflow proceeds to page thumbnail 192, which is fully displayed in FIG.93. Note that the status of the reservation has changed to reflect thelatest user input, as depicted in the window of drop-down menu 9314. Ifthe user taps into drop-down menu 9314, he is again presented withsimilar options as shown in page thumbnail 200 for deliveryreservations, which is detailed in Figure 103, or page thumbnail 202 forin-store reservations, which is detailed in FIG. 104. Note, for usersconducting delivery operations there exists an extra step in the processof updating the reservation status. The user may update the deliveryreservation status by engaging button 10306 in FIG. 103, which triggerstwo simultaneous actions. First, the corresponding customer will receivea notification and update, as depicted in FIG. 102. Second, the user isdirected to page thumbnail 204, displayed fully in FIG. 105. Also notethat this intermediate step (“Arrived at location”) is not necessary forin-store pickup operations, so no user input would be required at thisstage in the flow, referenced by FIG. 90 (page thumbnail 186).Proceeding to page thumbnail 204, which is detailed in FIG. 105, theuser has all available options as depicted in FIG. 93. Once the useractivates button 8906 within FIG. 89 for delivery operations or button9006 within FIG. 90, the user causes the following events to occursimultaneously. First, this causes the customer's page to reflect thatof page thumbnail 100, which will be described later in FIG. 47. Thesecond simultaneous action that occurs is depicted on page thumbnail194, which is detailed in FIG. 94. Within FIG. 94, note that the statusof the reservation has changed to reflect the latest user input, asdepicted in the window of drop-down menu 9414. By marking thereservation as complete, the reservation is recorded as complete in theuser's platform as well as the corresponding manager's platform, and theflow proceeds to the customer's page thumbnail 100, which is detailed inFIG. 47.

Customer User. Within FIG. 47, the customer user will be prompted tocomplete a mandatory rating of the overall reservation experience, andmust select (from 1 to 5 stars) the appropriate rating by tapping therespective star in scale 4702. She may finalize and record the rating bytapping button 4706, but before doing so, she may also choose to leavean optional message to further describe the reservation experience bytapping directly in text field 4704. Once the user confirms her reviewvia button 4706, the flow proceeds to page thumbnail 102, which isdetailed in FIG. 48. It is within FIG. 48 that the review promptdisappears, and the user is able to view the full status of thereservation (including her star rating). Note, the user still has theoption to return to her profile via link 4802, view the reservation'sreceipt via tab 4804, or view the corresponding store's contact detailsvia tab 4806.

This concludes the flow.

Note, though the store owner (or client user) is not directly involvedin the store-to-customer flow, from the platform she is able to monitorall ongoing and completed reservations, evaluate store performance andinventory, and remotely onboard new employees onto the platform.

Client User. The Log in procedures for the user as shown in pagethumbnails 206 (FIG. 106) and 208 (FIG. 107) replicate those describedin manager page thumbnails 106 (FIG. 50) and 104 (FIG. 49) and staffmember page thumbnails 158 (FIG. 76) and 160 (FIG. 77). Upon logging in,the user proceeds to page thumbnail 210, which is detailed in FIG. 108.Within FIG. 108, the user can view a list of all stores under herownership that are integrated onto the Jane platform. The user maysearch for a specific listed store via text window 10802. The user mayalso view a certain store's staff by selecting button 10804 andproceeding to thumbnail 214, which is displayed within FIG. 110. Here,the user can view all managers and staff members assigned to a specificstore location. By selecting button 11004, the user can edit theindividual manager's info: name, email, assigned store, and user role(manager, delivery staff member, in-store staff member, delivery &in-store staff member). The same function applies to editing a staffmember's info by selecting button 11006. Note that when a manager logsoff the system via button 5104 in FIG. 51 or a staff member via button7904 in FIG. 79, the user will be able to view their status inreal-time. By selecting button 11002 would direct the user back to FIG.108.

Continuing within FIG. 108, the user can view all completed reservationsat a designated store by selecting button 10808 and proceeding tothumbnail 224, as outlined by FIG. 115. Within FIG. 115, the user canproceed back by pressing button 11502, or search for a specificreservation by tapping into search bar 11504. By selecting button 11506,the user can sort this scrollable list by the following parametersdetailed in thumbnail 226 (FIG. 116): reservation type (button 11602),customer name (button 11604), customer details (button 11606), date(button 11608), or value (button 11610). The user may also cancel thisaction by pressing button 11612. Finally within FIG. 115, when tappinginto a specific reservation, as shown in button 11508, the user proceedsto the detailed specific reservation screen, as previously described inFIG. 56.

Revisiting FIG. 108, the user may select tab 10810 in the bottomnavigation panel. In doing so, the user proceeds to thumbnail 212, whichis depicted in FIG. 109. Here, the user may view all manager users andstaff member users from all stores that are integrated onto theplatform. For manager users and staff member users who are alreadyoperating on the platform, the user may select buttons10904 or 10906edit respective manager or staff member details, as previously describedin by selecting button 11004 of FIG. 110. In order to digitally invitenew managers and staff members to join the platform, the user may selectbutton 10902 and input such pre-designated details as the employee'sname, email, store, and type (e.g. manager, delivery staff member,in-store staff member, delivery and in-store staff member).

Continuing back within FIG. 108, the user may edit general storeinformation by activating button 10806. In doing so, the user proceedsto thumbnail 228, which is depicted in full within FIG. 117. Here, theuser can adjust certain details throughout the store's digitalstorefront. For instance, by invoking link 11704, the user can upload animage associated with the store's display, which can be viewed by everycustomer on the Jane marketplace. The user may also adjust the name andphone number associated with the store by typing into respective textboxes 11706 and 11708. Furthermore, the user can adjust the type ofstore operations. For example, by activating the toggle 11710, the usermakes his store available to fulfill delivery operations for customerson the Jane marketplace. Likewise, by activating toggle 11712, the usermakes the store available to fulfill in-store pickup operations. Notethat by deselecting either of these toggles, the user would make thestore unavailable to fulfill certain types of operations (delivery orin-store pickup). Only when toggle 11710 is activated would the userhave the ability to type into text box 11714 and set a delivery radius.In doing so, the user would make the store available to fulfill deliveryoperations only to those Jane marketplace customers who are actively(and in real-time) within the distance parameters. Those customersoutside of the store's specific delivery radius would be unable torequest a delivery reservation from that store. Further within FIG. 117,the user may select button 11716 to set the store's operational hours ona given day. In doing so, the user would invoke thumbnail 230 to appear,which is shown fully in FIG. 118.

For each day of the week, the user may set the store's hours ofoperation. First, the user selects either button 11802 or 11804 toadjust either the opening time or closing time, respectively. In doingso, the user may then scroll through a list of times, select a specifictime slot 11810 and save it via link 11808. Upon tapping button 11812,the user would have completed the action of setting the opening orclosing time for a specific day of the week. Returning to FIG. 117, theuser can activate toggle 11718 to communicate to customers how the storeincludes taxes with its pricing. Also, the user can invoke button 11720and proceed to thumbnail 232, which is detailed in FIG. 119. Within FIG.119, the user may revert back via link 11902, or the user can proceedwithin this page to adjust the store's inventory display settings. Inaddition to having the ability to search for a specific menu item viasearch bar 11904, the user may also set which inventory items the storeshould make available to customers via button 11910, By integratingdirectly into the store's point-of-sale system, these user inputs willaffect the store's digital menu in real-time. Furthermore, the user canselect to feature certain menu items by activating button 11908. Indoing so, this would showcase respective menu items for customersinteracting with the store's digital storefront, also conducted inreal-time. Lastly, the user may sort the list by invoking button 11906,and selecting to sort by name alphabetically either by buttons 12002 or12004 in FIG. 120 (thumbnail 234).

Continuing within FIG. 117, the user may activate toggle 11722 todisplay to marketplace customers that the store does accept certaintypes of payments (e.g. credit cards). Also, the user can switch on thetoggle 11724 to display to marketplace customers that the store doesprovide certain services (e.g. wheelchair access). Where some stores mayrequire additional requirements for its customers (e.g. signingmembership paperwork), the user can select button 11726 and move tothumbnail 236, which is depicted within FIG. 121. Here, the user mayrevert back by selecting button 12102. Also within FIG. 121, byactivating toggle 12104, the user can activate any additionalrequirements meant for its customers (e.g. requiring customers tocomplete required paperwork), and in doing so, the user will enable theinput within text field 12106. Here, the user is able to compose acustom message to the store's management (see FIG. 64 for details) withreference to the store's additional customer requirements, and how tobest handle such requirements. In addition, the user may also input textinto field 12108 to compose a custom message to the store's staff member(see FIG. 66 for details) around how to best accommodate any additionalcustomer requirements, as well. With reference back to FIG. 117, notethat any information the user inputs will be updated to the store'scustomer-facing digital storefront in real-time. For example, byadjusting the store name in field 11700, the user will have affectedwhat the customer sees at the top of FIG. 26. Similarly, if the useradjusts the toggle 11724 to accommodate wheelchair access, the customerwill see this displayed by selecting “Information” button 2614. Finallywithin FIG. 117, the user may select button 11702 and revert back toFIG. 108.

Continuing within FIG. 108, the user may select button 10812 in thebottom navigation panel, moving to thumbnail 216, which is portrayed inFIG. 111. Here, the user is able to view a historical listing of allcustomers who have ever made a successfill (completed) reservation atthe store(s) via the platform. By selecting a specific customer button11102, the user proceeds to thumbnail 218, which is detailed in FIG.112. Within FIG. 112, the user can view a historical list of allcompleted reservations fulfilled by the store for that specific customervia the platform. The user may revert back by selecting button 11202, ormay sort the list by invoking link 11204. By invoking link 11204, theuser can sort the list by such inputs as shown in thumbnail 220 anddescribed in full in FIG. 113. Within FIG. 113, the user may sort byvarious attributes such as reservation type (button 11302), date ofcompletion (11304, or value (button 11306). Lastly within FIG. 113, theuser may cancel the action by selecting button 11308. With referenceback to FIG. 112, the user may select an individual reservation button11206 and move to thumbnail 222, which is displayed in FIG. 114. WithinFIG. 114, the user can view an individual reservation page of anycompleted reservation on the platform. From here, the user can revertback by invoking link 11402, view the receipt of items by selecting tab11404, or view the timestamped tracking of the reservation flow byselecting tab 11406. Also, the user may contact the customer by invokinglink 11408 or select a detailed view of the various customer-uploadedimages (e.g. ID card) by tapping thumbnail 11410 or 11412.

Finally within FIG. 111, note that once the customer has rated therespective store in FIG. 47, not only does it register in real-time asshown on the customer tracking page in FIG. 48, but also it registers inreal-time for the client user in FIG. 111 under the respectivecustomer's name.

Other Applications

This technology is not limited to the cannabis industry. There existmany industries in which respective retail channels would also benefitfrom the same capability as applied to the cannabis industry. Theplatform could integrate, for example, into a retail liquor store'spoint-of-sale system and display their inventory to the customer'smobile device in real-time, The customer could then search, compare, andreserve items from an aggregated network of those liquor stores, andrequest those items to be delivered at an approved location or preparedfor in-store pickup. Once the reservation has been requested, theplatform would notify the manager of the liquor store via his mobiledevice, and provide the capability for him to verify the customer'sidentification and assign the respective reservation to the liquorstore's staff member for completion. All the while—just as the platformwould allow in the cannabis industry, the staff member (delivery orin-store) would not only receive an assignment notification from theplatform to his mobile device, but also he would have the capability tosend status updates to the customer via the platform's notificationsystem.

In addition to the liquor store, the system also could be applied togrocery stores, where customers could reserve various grocery items fordelivery or in-store pickup, depending upon the grocery store'soperational capabilities. Moreover, the system can be integrated intobutcher shops, fish markets, or produce markets by attaching theplatform directly into the respective point-of-sale systems. The systemcould also be integrated into retail pharmaceutical stores, where healthand wellness products could be reserved by the customer via his mobiledevice and prepared by the retail store, itself The platform could alsosupport restaurants by displaying their menus in real-time viapoint-of-sale integration and enabling their staff to approve, assign,and complete the reservation via delivery or take-out from therestaurant location itself. Additionally, the platform could integrateinto the flower industry, by integrating directly into the flower shop'spoint-of-sale system. On the platform, the customer could search,compare, and reserve items, while the shop's manager and staff membercould track and fulfill the reservation from their store's platformaccessed on their personal mobile devices. Even retail clothing storescould utilize the system. Customers could request certain clothing itemsfrom a specific retail store by viewing their inventory on the platform,the manager could validate the reservation and assign it to her staffmember via the platform, and the staff member could update the status ofthat reservation from her mobile device, which would in turn notify thecustomer to pick-up in store or at an alternative location.

Furthermore, the numerous other industries to which this system could bein physical retail locations include (but is not limited to): recordstores, sporting goods stores, book stores, general stores, hardwarestores, pet stores, toy stores, automotive stores, home improvementstores, and discount and wholesale retailers.

Within the cannabis industry, there also exist many ways in which thesystem could be implemented differently than as previously described.For instance, instead of integrating into the retail store'spoint-of-sale systems, the system could integrate directly into thesupplier's inventory system. Then, the customer could search, compare,and reserve items from the supplier directly instead of the specificretail location. Suppliers could be the cultivators of the cannabisflower, consumer packaged goods companies, or even large distributerswithin the cannabis industry. The manager (or equivalent) of thesupplier could then validate the reservation request from her phone, andthen assign it to be fulfilled by one of her staff members for delivery,shipment, or on-site pickup. Alternatively, the platform itself couldprovide the distribution services. For example, the customer could logon to the platform on his mobile device and search, compare and reservea quantity of cannabis flower from a specific cultivator (supplier) tobe delivered to the customer's authorized location. The platform itselfwould provide the distribution of the product (via third-party ororganic to the platform itself) from the cultivator's location directlyto the customer.

The system could also be implemented in the cannabis industry byenabling the store managers to assign reservations to a delivery serviceprovided by a third-party or by the platform itself. For example, oncethe customer reserves an item from a store, the store manager wouldreceive a notice via the platform and then assign that reservation to amember of a separate delivery service (instead of assigning thereservation to her staff member of the respective store). The member ofthe delivery service would then receive an assignment notification onhis mobile device through the platform from the store manager's mobiledevice. Instead of the store's staff member fulfilling the reservation,the responsibility to deliver the product to the customer would belongto the member of the delivery service. He would have the capability toupdate the status of the reservation and communicate the information tothe customer via the platform on his mobile device. Lastly, the customercould even add items from multiple stores under a single reservationrequest, with the member delivery service responsible for collectingthose items from the multiple stores and delivering directly to thecustomer.

Note, the member of the delivery service could pre-stock the inventoryof items from the stores he serves in his delivery vehicle, or he couldpick up specific items from specific stores as customers reserve thoseitems. Also note, the system would still integrate and showcase menu.items directly from the store's point-of-sale systems.

Additionally, the system could automate the assignment of incomingreservations to available staff members. For example, for an incomingreservation request from a customer, the system could validate thereservation information and automatically assign reservations directlyto staff members based on such parameters as staff member availability,location, and current reservations assigned.

Alternatively, the system could be implemented in the cannabis industryby the platform including its own point-of-sale system to be inside theretail store. Under this scenario, instead of integrating into thepoint-of-sale system, the platform would essentially serve as anextension of that point-of-sale system, as they would share the sameaccess to data. For example, the store would operate on the platform'sorganic point-of-sale system instead of a third party's system. Thecustomer, manager, and staff member would still operate within theplatform via their respective mobile devices in the same way asdescribed in the original system. The platform, however, would displaymenu items from its own point-of-sale system (and shared database) thatis located inside the retail store instead of integrating intothird-party point-of-systems.

in some applications of this system within the cannabis industry thestore could itself manually upload menu items instead of the platformintegrating into the point-of-sale system, and thus, automaticallyuploading menu items on the store's behalf. Under this scenario, thestores could also curate the content it manually uploads onto theplatform to share with customers. For example, the store couldpotentially upload photos, custom descriptions, or even discounts on theitems manually uploaded onto the platform. Note that under this system,all user roles (e.g. customer, manager, staff member) and functionalitywould not need to change from those described earlier.

Furthermore, this system could link together additional softwareplatforms within the process. For example, the platform could link acustomer from software that is native to a respective device (e.g. aniOS-specific app, an Android-specific app. etc.) to software that can beaccessed from any device (e.g. a web app). Moreover, the individualstore could display their menu items on their store's website that islinked and “powered by” Jane. Thus, when a customer selects a menu itemfrom the store's website, the process then links the customer to theplatform via native application software or web app to continue andcomplete the process.

Additionally, the system could be implemented in the cannabis industryby enabling notifications from the platform that are not pushnotifications. For instance, when the manager assigns a reservation to astaff member of the respective store, the platform would send anotification from the manager to his staff member via email and/or textmessage instead of a push notification (as originally depicted in theoriginal system). Or under a similar circumstance, if a customer were torequest a reservation, the platform would then send an email and/or textmessage to the store manager's device. Within that email or textmessage, a link could be applied that would direct the manager to thespecific reservation request page within the platform, or the requestedreservation's complete information (e.g. time, location cart items,documents, etc.) could be included in the notification message itself.

The benefits of the system extend to multiple stakeholders. No longerare customers subject to misinformation about the products available tothem. By integrating directly into the store's point-of-sale system, thecustomer has access to menu items that are available to them inreal-time. Furthermore, customers are no longer as vulnerable to “ghostreviews.” That is, the reviews that help inform customers on theplatform are obtained from registered users who have actually reservedreal products from that specific store. in doing so, the platformprevents any store from inflating its ratings, and prohibits users fromreviewing stores from which they have never completed a reservation.Real menus. Real reviews. Real information. Additionally, by aggregatingstores onto a single platform, we provide customers with the power ofchoice. No longer are the customers limited to a single store'sinventory and service, whether it is due to proximity, membershiprequirements, or even limited awareness. instead of limiting thecustomer to the inventory and services from a single store, the platformallows customers to select a product first, and then decide the beststores that carry the product from an aggregated network of multiplestores.

The platform also enables stores to e in a fair marketplace andencourages the best stores with the best products and services to berewarded. Other platforms elevate the profile of a store based purely onhow much money a store pays that platform. Instead, this platformempowers the store to compete on what matters—the quality of itsproducts and the services it provides. The platform creates a fairmarketplace rooted in quality of product and service, and vetted by realcustomers. In addition, stores are able to optimize volatile customerdemand. By allowing customers to reserve items for in-store pickup, thestores can prepare the items in advance, which will reduce lines,optimize staff capacity, and ultimately lead to more satisfiedcustomers. Moreover, by enabling stores to update and notify customerson the status of their reservations, the platform provides thevisibility required to prevent any potential miscommunication to occur(and any potential loss of sale to take place). Store managers and staffmembers alike are also empowered with the ability to confirm thecustomer's identification along with any other documents that may berequired prior to accepting the reservation. This provides stores withthe added security of vetting their customers, enables them to have fullcontrol over whom they choose to serve, and implements measures toensure reservations are in compliance with the law. In addition, theplatform brings accountability to store operations. Not only will storemanagers have the ability to monitor the entire reservation process ascompleted by their respective staff members, but also customers willknow exactly who has prepared their reservation, and may contact themdirectly as required.

The platform also collects valuable data. Stores will have the abilityto measure staff efficiency, inventory trends, and customer segmentationinformation. Also, the platform can link a specific customer to aspecific store, and provide that store with her location, purchasehistory, time of reservation request, search history, and reviews. Thisdata will help inform suppliers, stores, and even local governmentsabout critical consumer insights that were previously unavailable to theindustry. With respect to local governments, the platform will helpremove the remaining “black markets” that exists in municipalities thatdo not allow retail cannabis locations. For example, for customers whoreside in a municipality where retail stores are prohibited, theplatform would provide access to a product legally instead of forcingcustomers to assume unnecessary risks to gain access to the product via“black markets.”

Therefore, among the concepts that can be implemented and benefits thatcan be achieved by the technology that we have described are thefollowing:

A. The system brings powerful selection capabilities to the industry inwhich it is applied, empowering customers to browse aggregated productitems in real-time, to compare stores on an accurate and fair reviewsystem, and to customize reservations by time, location, type, or otherservices.

B. The system brings simplicity to the industry in which it is appliedby supporting store management to optimize incoming demand across staff,to seamlessly integrate their on-site workstations into a mobile systemavailable to an audience of active customers, and to instantly verifynew and current customers without the unnecessary lines, forms, emails,or phone calls.

C. The system brings safety to the industry in which it is applied byenabling store management to ensure all components of the reservationare within compliance, staff members to verify customer information asrequired, and customers to communicate with the store management andspecific staff members as necessary.

What is claimed:
 1. A computer-implemented apparatus comprising, atechnology system coupled to an in-store point-of-sale system of aphysical retail store and including at least one hardware device, thetechnology system configured to (a) present, through mobile devices ofcustomers of the physical retail store, a virtual storefront of retailproducts currently in inventory at the physical retail store, and (b)host direct real-time electronic interaction between the customers andemployees of the physical retail store through mobile devices, thetechnology system comprising: a point-of-sale integration serviceconfigured to run on a device at the physical retail store and totransmit and receive retail data, including data representing units ofretail products currently in inventory at the physical retail store: (a)to and from the in-store point-of-sale system and (b) through theInternet to and from a cloud server for storage and retrieval in a clouddatabase, and a cloud server including at least one hardware device andconfigured to (a) communicate information through the Internet and thepoint-of-sale integration service to and from the in-store point-of-salesystem to keep the in-store point-of-sale system synchronized with thecloud database with respect to retail products currently in inventory atthe physical retail store, (b) use the retail data in the cloud databaseto serve the virtual store front to the mobile devices of the consumers,and (c) host the direct real-time electronic interaction through mobiledevices between the customers and the employees of the physical retailstore with respect to ordering, reserving, purchasing, or receivingdelivery at the physical retail store of the retail products currentlyin inventory and update the cloud database and the in-storepoint-of-sale system in response to the hosted interaction.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 in which the technology system is coupled to morethan one physical retail store.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which thetechnology system is configured to present, through mobile devices ofcustomers, virtual storefronts of retail products currently in inventoryat more than one physical retail store.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 inwhich the technology system is configured to host direct real-timeelectronic interaction between the customers and employees of more thanone physical retail store, through mobile devices.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which the point-of-sale integration service is configured torun on devices at more than one physical retail store.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1 in which the retail data transmitted and received by thepoint-of-sale integration service includes data representing units ofproducts currently in inventory at more than one physical retail store.7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the cloud server is controlledindependently of the control of the retail store.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 2 in which the physical retail stores comprise competitivephysical retail stores.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the datarepresenting units of retail products currently in inventory reflectsitems received from suppliers into inventory.
 10. The apparatus of claim1 in which the cloud server maintains information representative ofproposed reservations for delivery of retail products at the physicalretail store communicated through the Internet from mobile devices ofcustomers.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the technology systemis configured to manage preparation for delivery of the retail productsidentified in the requests.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 in which thecloud server generates data representing a queue of accepted ones of theproposed reservations for delivery of the retail products.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 in which the cloud server updates the queue basedon delivery of the retail products for the accepted reservations andupdates the retail data representing units of retail products currentlyin inventory at the physical retail store.